Police have launched a sabotage probe at an Anglesey airstrip

Oct 20 2011 by Owen R Hughes, North Wales Weekly News

POLICE have launched a sabotage probe after a Conwy Valley pilot was left in the sky without his aircraft speedometer.

Forensic officers are understood to be investigating parts of the plane of experienced flyer Doug Blair after the problem was discovered shortly after he took off from Mona Airfield on Anglesey with his son Daniel.

The problem can have potentially fatal consequences but Mr Blair, 56, remained calm and was able to land the plane safely.

His own fault investigation raised the suspicion of “malicious interference” with concerns a pitot tube on the Red ARV Super2 had been blocked by glue or another resin.

Police were called in and continue to investigate the incident while pilots have been warned to show “extreme vigilance” before taking off.

Dad-of-two Mr Blair said: “This was potentially very serious, not having the airspeed indicator working leaves the danger of stalling.

“A similar problem was blamed for an Air France crash in 2009.

“I noticed the problem soon after take-off. The key thing is to remain calm in these situations, which was hard because my son was next to me and my wife and other son on the ground, listening to the radio messages.

“Thankfully because of the long length of the runway at Mona I could raise the speed to ensure there was no danger of stalling and still bring the plane to a stop on the runway.”

It was the next day that he found the problem and is convinced it was sabotage. An investigation has been underway since the incident on September 4.

A club spokesman said it was still was not known if this had been sabotage or accidental damage.