Cardiff City have outlined "grave concerns" about pilot David Ibbotson's licence and the legality of the flight that carried Emiliano Sala following an interim Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) report.

Ibbotson and Sala were travelling from Nantes to Cardiff on board a Piper Malibu aircraft when it disappeared on January 21.

Sala's body was later recovered from the plane wreckage in the English Channel with the help of specialist contractors, he died from head and trunk injuries. Ibbotson's body has yet to be found.

The AAIB is investigating the circumstances surrounding the flight and released an interim report on Monday, detailing its focus.

A summary found that the plane, registered in the United States, could not be used for commercial purposes without prior permission. There was no evidence that permission had been sought, although it was unclear if the flight was alternatively being operated on a cost-sharing basis.

The AAIB also said Ibbotson's "logbook and licence were not recovered from the aircraft, and the ratings on his licences and their validity dates have not yet been established".

With a full report still set to follow, Cardiff responded with a statement.

"The club acknowledges the publication today by the AAIB of their special bulletin on the loss of the Piper Malibu aircraft carrying Emiliano Sala," it read.

"We have grave concerns that questions still remain over the validity of the pilot's licence and rating to undertake such a journey, as identified in the bulletin.

"We are also concerned to discover that the trip involved an aircraft which did not conform to either UK CAA or US FAA requirements for commercial activity and therefore may have been operating unlawfully.

"We welcome further investigation into the accident, which is required to determine precisely what happened, and to ensure changes are made so that this situation never happens again."

Cardiff signed striker Sala from Nantes in a club-record deal in January. </s> An investigation into the plane crash which killed footballer Emiliano Sala will focus on the validity of the pilot’s licence.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) named “regulatory requirements” as one of four areas in which further work will be carried out.

Its interim report noted that the type of licence held by the pilot meant he could only fly passengers in the European Union on a cost sharing basis, rather than for commercial flights.

Pilots with his licence “must have a bona fide purpose for making the flight”, according to the AAIB.

Argentinian footballer Sala had just signed for Cardiff City from French club Nantes for £15 million when the plane crashed into the Channel on January 21.

He was the only passenger on board the Piper Malibu aircraft flying from Nantes to the Welsh capital.

His body was recovered on February 6 but pilot David Ibbotson, 59, of Crowle, Lincolnshire, has not been located.

Mr Ibbotson’s family hope a fresh search for his body will begin this week after setting up an online fundraising campaign which has reached £250,000.

The aircraft remains underwater off the coast of Guernsey after an attempt to recover it was hampered by bad weather. </s> Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Emiliano Sala's body was found in the plane's wreckage

The pilot of the plane that crashed with Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala on board did not have a licence for commercial flights, investigators say.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) confirmed David Ibbotson held a private pilot's licence.

Its interim report said he could only fly passengers in the EU on a cost sharing basis, not for reward.

Cardiff City said it had "grave concerns" and questions over the validity of the pilot's licence.

Investigators have not yet been able to establish what arrangement Mr Ibbotson had with Sala, and the status of the 59-year-old's licence at the time of the crash on 21 January will form part of the AAIB's investigations.

Image copyright AAIB Image caption The wreckage was found in three parts on the seabed of the English Channel

Sala was found in the wreckage of the Piper Malibu N264DB, which was found on the seabed 13 days after it vanished over the English Channel near Guernsey.

He had completed his transfer to Premier League side Cardiff from French club Nantes just two days earlier - for a club record fee of £15m - and had returned to France to say goodbye to his former teammates.

Mr Ibbotson has not yet been found and his family hope a fresh search for his body will begin this week after setting up an online fundraising campaign which has raised £250,000.

The aircraft remains underwater off the coast of Guernsey after an attempt to recover it was hampered by bad weather.

What is cost sharing?

Image copyright Jamie Brownfield Image caption The Piper Malibu N264DB aircraft was taking Sala from Nantes to Cardiff

As flying is an expensive pastime, cost sharing allows pilots to notch up their flying hours while sharing the cost of fuel, landing fees and other expenses with passengers.

The AAIB report said the basis on which Sala was being carried on N264DB "has not yet been established but, previously, the pilot had carried passengers on the basis of 'cost sharing'".

Cost sharing on private flights is allowed in the UK and the report said Mr Ibbotson, of Crowle, North Lincolnshire, had operated these type of flights before.

However, the report added that because the aircraft was US-registered, it was subject to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, which meant he could only make the flight legally if he was paying half the operating expenses.

In addition, Mr Ibbotson needed a "bona fide purpose" for making the flight - also known in aviation as "common purpose" - and must dictate when the flight should leave, the report added.

Image copyright Getty Images/David Ibbotson Image caption Emiliano Sala (left) was on board a plane being flown by pilot David Ibbotson

It is understood the flight's departure was delayed to allow Sala to say goodbye to his Nantes teammates before he left.

The report said that, on the basis of a cost-sharing flight, it "must not be made for the purpose of merely transporting the passenger".

This is one area the AAIB said needed further investigation.

What else does the report say?

Image copyright AAIB Image caption The AAIB released this photograph of the wreckage of the Piper Malibu

The AAIB said the plane was found in three parts on the seabed after a submersible with cameras was sent underwater.

It was "extensively damaged" and the wreckage was held together by electrical and flying control cables, while the engine was disconnected from the cockpit area.

The AAIB said it had been unable to establish how much flying Mr Ibbotson had done recently, as his pilot's licence and logbook had been lost.

Investigators would normally look to establish how many hours a pilot had flown in the preceding 28 and 90 days before a crash.

Mr Ibbotson had approximately 3,700 flying hours and held a private pilot's licence in the UK and US.

What are the next steps?

Air accident investigators will continue to look at all "operational, technical, organisational and human factors" which might have contributed to the crash.

One focus will be further analysis of the radar information to try and understand the final moments of the flight.

Investigators will analyse video from the wreckage in a bid to determine how the aircraft entered the sea.

An AAIB spokesman said: "We have gathered evidence from radar, weather reports, video of the aircraft on the seabed and interviews with witnesses.

"Some operational aspects are yet to be determined, such as the validity of the pilot's licence and ratings.

"Our priority now is to go through the evidence, much of which is extensive and complex, so we can piece together what happened between the aircraft being lost from radar and it coming to rest on the sea bed.

"This will help us understand the potential causes of the accident."

A Cardiff City spokesman said: "We welcome further investigation into the accident, which is required to determine precisely what happened, and to ensure changes are made so that this situation never happens again."

The remit of the AAIB, which is a branch of the Department for Transport, is to conduct safety investigations into the cause of aviation accidents without apportioning blame or liability. </s> This still made from video provided by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch showing the wreckage of the plane which crashed into the Channel on Jan. 21, 2019 killing footballer Emiliano Sala. Air accident investigators say on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 that the plane carrying soccer player Emiliano Sala was not licensed for commercial use by authorities. But in the initial crash report investigators are yet to determine whether it could be classified a private flight if costs were being shared, so commercial flight regulations were not applicable. (AAIB via AP)

LONDON – A preliminary report into the air crash which cost Emiliano Sala his life has raised questions about whether the pilot was legally licensed to carry the player, which could encourage Cardiff City to continue withholding payment of the £15 million transfer fee to Nantes. An experienced football administrator at the top of the English game told Sportsmail that if the flight was not fully licensed to fly Sala, then Cardiff’s insurance policy might be invalid.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch report says the Piper Malibu aircraft was not licensed for commercial use.

Pilot Dave Ibbotson, who is still missing after the crash, was entitled to transport the player on a private basis, but would have needed to pay half the operating costs of the flight, under aviation rules on carrying passengers.

On Monday night, Cardiff issued a statement making it clear they view the AAIB report as a source of concern.

The club said: “We have grave concerns that questions remain over the validity of the pilot’s licence and rating to undertake such a journey.

“We are also concerned to discover that the trip involved an aircraft which... may have been operating unlawfully.” </s> A body recovered from underwater wreckage of the plane carrying Emiliano Sala has been formally identified as the footballer, police said.

Sala (28) was identified by the Dorset coroner on Thursday after his body was pulled from the plane, which had been flown by pilot David Ibbotson, the previous day.

The families of both men have been informed, police said.

The force said in a statement: “The body brought to Portland Port today, Thursday, February 7th, 2019, has been formally identified by HM Coroner for Dorset as that of professional footballer Emiliano Sala.

“The families of Mr Sala and the pilot David Ibbotson have been updated with this news and will continue to be supported by specially-trained family liaison officers.

“Our thoughts remain with them at this difficult time.

“HM Coroner will continue to investigate the circumstances of this death supported by Dorset Police.”

Cardiff City Football Club said in a statement: “We offer our most heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the family of Emiliano.

“He and David will forever remain in our thoughts.”

The Piper Malibu N264DB plane lost contact with air traffic control over the Channel, north of Guernsey, on January 21st.

An initial search and rescue operation failed to locate the plane but it was later discovered by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) and privately funded search teams.

The aircraft remains 67 metres underwater around 33km off the coast of Guernsey in the English Channel as poor weather conditions stopped efforts to recover it.

The AAIB has said it expects to publish an interim report within the month.

Cardiff had signed Sala for a club record €17 million and he was due to start training last month.

Nantes has demanded payment from Cardiff for the player’s transfer. – PA </s> The pilot of the plane that crashed with Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala on board did not have a licence for commercial flights, investigators say.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch confirmed David Ibbotson held a private pilot's licence, which meant he could not carry passengers for reward.

Its interim report said he could only fly passengers in the European Union on a cost-sharing basis.

It has yet to establish if this was he case with Sala.

The validity of 59-year-old Mr Ibbotson's licence at the time of the 21 January crash will form part of the AAIB's investigations going forward.
• Who owned the plane Sala died in?

Sala was found in the wreckage of the Piper Malibu N264DB, which was found on the seabed 13 days after it vanished over the English Channel near Guernsey.

He had completed his transfer to Premier League side Cardiff from French club Nantes just two days earlier - for a club record fee of £15m - and had returned to France to say goodbye to his former teammates.

As flying is an expensive pastime, cost sharing allows pilots to notch up their flying hours while sharing the cost of fuel, landing fees and other expenses with passengers.

The AAIB report said the basis on which Sala was being carried on N264DB "has not yet been established but, previously, the pilot had carried passengers on the basis of 'cost sharing'".

Cost sharing on private flights is allowed in the UK and the report said Mr Ibbotson, of Crowle, North Lincolnshire, had operated these type of flights before.

However, the report added that because the aircraft was US-registered, it was subject to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, which meant he could only make the flight legally if he was paying half the operating expenses.

In addition, Mr Ibbotson needed a "bona fide purpose" for making the flight - also known in aviation as "common purpose" - and must dictate when the flight should leave, the report added.

It is understood the flight's departure was delayed to allow Sala to say goodbye to his Nantes teammates before he left.

The report said that, on the basis of a cost-sharing flight, it "must not be made for the purpose of merely transporting the passenger".

This is one area the AAIB said needed further investigation.

What else does the report say?

The AAIB said the plane was found in three parts on the seabed after a submersible with cameras was sent underwater.

It was "extensively damaged" and the wreckage was held together by electrical and flying control cables, while the engine was disconnected from the cockpit area.

The AAIB said it had been unable to establish how much flying pilot Mr Ibbotson had done recently, as his pilot's licence and logbook had been lost.

Investigators would normally look to establish how many hours a pilot had flown in the preceding 28 and 90 days before a crash.

Mr Ibbotson had approximately 3,700 flying hours and held a private pilot's licence in the UK and US. </s> LONDON, United Kingdom, Feb 25 – The plane carrying footballer Emiliano Sala that crashed in the Channel last month did not have a commercial licence, British investigators said Monday.

But the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the journey would have been allowed as a “private” flight in which costs are shared between pilot and passenger.

“The basis on which the passenger was being carried on N264DB has not yet been established but, previously, the pilot had carried passengers on the basis of cost sharing,” the AAIB said in an interim report.

Pilot David Ibbotson, 59, was flying 28-year-old Argentine striker Sala to his new Premier League club Cardiff City from his previous side in Nantes in France on January 21 when the accident happened.

Football agent Mark McKay had a mandate from Nantes to negotiate the transfer of the professional contract between the two clubs.

Nantes has said that the mandate had expired by the time Sala boarded the flight as he had already signed for Cardiff City.

Speaking to The Times newspaper Willie McKay, Mark McKay’s father, has said that his son arranged the flight, just as he had organised several flights for brokers of the deal in previous weeks.

The plane, a Piper PA-46 Malibu from 1984, was registered in the US, according to the report.

The investigators also said that since the pilot’s logbook and licence were not recovered, it was unclear whether Ibbotson was authorised to fly at night.

The AAIB said the plane took off from Nantes Airport at 1915 GMT.

At 1958 GMT, Jersey air traffic control asked the pilot if the plane’s altimeter was working because the radar indicated it was flying lower than it should have been.

The weather radar at the time showed “a band of showers, some heavy, passing through the area”.

Four minutes later the pilot requested clearance to descend.

The controller asked if the plane required another descent to which the pilot responded: “Negative, just avoided a patch there, but back on heading five thousand feet.”

At 2012 GMT, Ibbotson did request a further descent.

The plane then descended twice and ascended twice before disappearing from the radar.

The wreckage was found on the seabed at a depth of approximately 68 metres, the report said, as investigators released fresh pictures of the plane.

“The aircraft was extensively damaged, and the main body of the aircraft was in three parts held together by electrical and flying control cables,” it said.

“The engine had disconnected from the cockpit areas, and the rear section of the fuselage had broken away from the forward section adjacent to the trailing edge of the wing.”

Sala’s body was recovered from the wreckage. Ibbotson has never been found, although his family are hoping a crowdfunding campaign will help raise funds for an underwater search.

The report said two seat cushions, an arm rest and what may have been a piece of fuselage washed up on the French coast, while a seat cushion was found on Jersey.

The aircraft was not fitted with black box data and voice recorders and was not required to be.

Sala’s body was recovered from the submerged wreckage on February 7. </s> Emiliano Sala's plane has been found and he is presumed dead. Divers discovered the wreckage at the bottom of the English Channel. Cardiff City paid tribute to their player over the weekend.

A body seen in the wreckage of the plane carrying Premier League footballer Emiliano Sala has been successfully recovered.

The small plane carrying Cardiff City striker Sala, 28, and pilot David Ibbotson, 59, was found off the coast of Alderney in the English Channel on Sunday.

The Air Accident Investigation Branch said robot subs were used in “challenging conditions” to pull the body out of the water “in as dignified a way as possible”, The Sun reports.

It has not yet been revealed whether the body was the Argentinian footballer or British pilot.

More to come </s> The body recovered from a plane that crashed in the Channel has been formally identified as the professional footballer Emiliano Sala, police have said.

The aircraft, which was also carrying the pilot David Ibbotson, crashed in the Channel on 21 January, en route to Cardiff. Dorset police said the families of both men had been notified.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch of the United Kingdom issues an interim report revealing the pilot, David Ibbotson, held only a private pilots licence and could not transport paying passengers within the European Union. Ibbotson and Argentinian footballer Emiliano Sala both died in the accident. Cardiff City FC announce "grave concerns" over Ibbotson's licence.