Inquiry into Fatal Mid-Air Collision
A climate activist known as the "human swan" became emotional while providing testimony at an inquiry examining a fatal mid-air collision over the Scottish Highlands.
Sacha Dench was undertaking a round-Britain paramotor challenge when her lightweight aircraft collided with another piloted by cameraman Dan Burton near Loch Na Gainmhich, close to Lochinver.
Burton, aged 54 and from Devon, died as a result of the crash in September 2021, while Dench sustained serious injuries.
Dench told the inquiry held at Tain Sheriff Court that Burton was a "highly experienced" pilot, and that they had previously flown together on expeditions.
The 3,000-mile (4,828 km) Round Britain Climate Challenge aimed to raise awareness about climate change ahead of the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.
Australian Dench stated she first met Burton in 2005 or 2006 during her career as a free diver, the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) heard.
They had been flying together since 2012.
They participated in an expedition named Flight of the Swans, which was documented by the BBC, and had plans for a future trip to Africa.
Dench became tearful multiple times during her testimony, leading to an adjournment of the inquiry to allow her to regain composure.
When asked about Burton's paramotor experience, she replied:
"Highly experienced - potentially the most experienced expedition pilot I know."
Expedition Planning and Communications
Fiscal depute Jemma Eadie questioned Dench regarding the planning and preparation for the round-Britain expedition, which was initially expected to last eight weeks.
Dench explained that the expedition was originally planned as a continuous circumnavigation of the UK, but this was modified to completing only "a few segments" due to the paramotors' electric motor batteries lasting only 30 minutes per charge.
The inquiry heard that Dench and Burton agreed on take-off and landing sites, as well as stopping points for evenings and mornings before flying.
Dench described their in-flight communication system, stating they used headsets integrated into their helmets.
These headsets connected automatically when they were within approximately 2,624 feet (800 meters) of each other.
The FAI was informed that the headsets operated on an "open channel" that did not require pressing any buttons to communicate.
When asked about the nature of their conversations, Dench said:
"We'd be chatting about the scenery, where we were going to, any changes in weather conditions."
On the day of the crash, the pair had planned to land in a field near Ullapool.
The FAI had previously heard evidence during hearings held in May of the previous year and January of the current year.
Dan Burton was taking part in a conservation project when the crash happened.
