A PILOT may have become "overwhelmed" when his plane lost power at an altitude of 500 feet, before crashing at Redhill Aerodrome.

David Marjason, a chartered surveyor from Oxted, was killed in the crash on August 28 last year while practising take-offs and landings in a microlight plane, which he owned as part of a four-man syndicate.

A report released by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has attributed the crash to a "sudden power reduction" coupled with Mr Marjason's "relative inexperience" and lack of time to respond.

At no point during the crash did Mr Marjason – who had only qualified the month before his death – radio Air Traffic Control to report a problem.

The report said: "The initial action of a pilot experiencing a power loss should be to lower the nose of the aircraft to prevent it stalling.

"On this occasion, the pilot appears not to have lowered the nose after the power loss; the aircraft continued in a climbing attitude and decelerated, until it stalled."

It added: "The lack of any radio transmission after the power loss may indicate that the pilot became overwhelmed by the situation.

"Nevertheless, if the pilot had been able to lower the aircraft's nose before it stalled, he may have been in a position to maintain a safe airspeed and perform a forced landing."

Mr Marjason was practising touch-and-go landings – where a plane touches down briefly before taking off again – when he stalled during a takeoff and plunged into a nose dive from which he could not recover.

The wreckage meant AAIB investigators could not assess every part of the engine and the report, released last month, could not establish a definitive cause for the power loss, which happened as Mr Marjason took off from a successful touch-and-go landing.

It noted, however, that Mr Marjason had attempted a previous touch-and-go landing which he had converted into a full landing after appearing to approach from too high an angle and striking the ground, which could have damaged the propellor.

After taking off from this incident Mr Marjason completed an "uneventful circuit" before touching down and taking off as planned, but as the plane reached an altitude of about 500 feet, witnesses heard the engine falter.

The plane then decelerated while continuing to climb, it rolled slightly left before the right wing dropped and the plane fell into a nose dive.

Sudden

The report concluded: "The sudden power reduction, the pilot's relative inexperience and the limited time available to react appropriately are likely factors in the pilot not lowering the nose before the aircraft stalled.

"There was then insufficient height available for the pilot to effect a recovery from the stall before ground impact."

A post-mortem examination found Mr Marjason, of Hamfield Close, died of head and chest injuries.

He ran his own firm of chartered surveyors, Marjason & Associates, as well as playing the second horn in Oxted Band.

THIS eager trail hound ended up on the M23 yesterday, bringing traffic to a stop in both directions while police officers rounded him up.

Sussex Police was called after Jack, who came from Haroldslea Drive in Horley, was seen running on the M23 near Gatwick at 2.50pm.

A police spokeswoman said the dog had broken free while being taken for a walk by youngsters.

Jack was caught 20 minutes later by a man who had stopped and managed to grab his lead. Due to the heat, he was transferred from PC Vicki Lank's patrol car to an air-conditioned dog unit from Gatwick and taken back to his owners.

Traffic was blocked both ways on the motorway near Gatwick Airport and drivers were asked by the Highways Agency to avoid the area or use the A23 for local routes.

PC Lank said: "The road was temporarily closed because it is clearly dangerous when drivers are swerving to avoid a dog running loose. Thanks are due to motorists whose journeys were delayed, but it's pleasing that no one was hurt and that Jack was returned safe and sound to his owners."

Jack's owner used Twitter to thank Sussex Police officers for bringing the dog home safely and apologised to motorists stuck in traffic. 

POPULAR restaurant chain Nando's has opened its latest outlet today at Gatwick's South Terminal.

Passengers heading off on their holidays can now treat themselves to Portugese-style peri-peri chicken food before boarding.

And for those not watching their waistline before hitting the beach, the restaurant will offer a breakfast option, exclusive to the airport.

The eatery is the fifteenth restaurant to open at Gatwick since 2011 and has created a further 135 new jobs.

The restaurant, with seating for 220 passengers, will feature its typical African art and branding and will operate up to 20 hours a day from 4am until the last flight.

This is the first time a Nando's has opened in a European airport, and joins the likes of Giraffe, Caviar House and The London Bar at the South Terminal.

Charlotte Christiansen, business development manager for catering at Gatwick, said: "Gatwick is thrilled Nando's has opened its doors to passengers today.

"Nando's is a hugely popular brand and its extensive menu is perfectly matched to airport dining as it is quick, fresh and delicious and is also complemented by the exclusive breakfast option that is available as a grab-and-go

"More than a third of our passengers told us they would like to see a Nando's at Gatwick so we have acted on this."

PASSENGERS travelling from or through East Croydon to London Bridge will need to find an alternative route for nine days while development work takes place.

Between 23 and August 31, First Capital Connect and Southern trains will not call at London Bridge, one of Britain's busiest, while Network Rail rebuilds a three-track bridge and replaces platforms, track and signalling systems.

Nicky Hughes, Network Rail's head of communications for London and the south east, said: "London Bridge is one of the country's busiest stations and we're rebuilding it piece by piece to transform north-south travel through London while keeping it open for passengers. This is a huge challenge.

"We are doing as much of the construction work as we can behind the scenes, but there will be times, such as this August, when we have to temporarily divert services around the track we're replacing.

"There are alternative routes for everyone affected and we urge passengers across London and south east to visit our new website, check if you are affected and then find out your alternative routes so you know your travel options."

Stephen Norris, East Croydon station manager, said: "We are expecting more passengers to be interchanging at East Croydon and my team are ready to assist with helping them."

London Bridge is being completely rebuilt as part of the government's multi-billion pound investment to transform rail services across London and the south east. 

In a statement, Network Rail said the work will give passengers travelling to or from East Croydon more spacious trains, and more robust tracks and signalling, which increase journey reliability. 

The statement added: "A new link to the north of St Pancras will connect the Thameslink route to the East Coast Main Line meaning for the very first time passengers will be able to travel from Gatwick straight through central London to the counties north of London without changing."

"To minimise the impact on the 21m passengers who use East Croydon station every year, Network Rail is carrying out the hugely complex construction work at London Bridge in phases. In August a vast amount of track and signalling work will take place as platforms 12 and 13 are brought back into use and platforms 10 and 11 are closed for demolition and rebuilding. While the station is closed we will replace a three-track bridge on the approach to London Bridge and we will continue to build a new concourse beneath passengers' feet that will be bigger than the pitch at Wembley."

Passengers are being advised to sign-up for alerts and to keep checking ahead as more changes are planned for December 2014 and between January 2015 and 2018

For more information go to: ThameslinkProgramme.co.uk

Services Network Rail warns will be affected:

• First Capital Connect and Southern services south of Blackfriars
• Stations like East Croydon and Gatwick are expected to be busier than usual and passengers might not get on the first train
• The southern end of London Underground's northern line is expected to be busier for this time of the year, as are sections of the District and Circle Line
• Certain sections of London Overground will be busier than usual and London Overground services will not be able to operate to and from New Cross from 26 to 29 August. These services will be diverted to Crystal Palace to double the number of London Overground trains serving stations between Sydenham and Brockley, which will temporarily not be served by Southern. A replacement bus service will run every 15 minutes between New Cross and Canada Water and some additional supplementary bus routes serving some other stations.
• Southeastern services will run as normal but are likely to be busier

The lead detective investigating a series of suspected arson attacks against sports club across Reigate and Banstead has said they are are like nothing he's ever seen in his years on the police.

But DCI Antony Archibald has moved to reassure sports club members and local residents that the force is putting a significant amount of resources into the on-going investigation.

A number of sports clubs have been targeted in a series of suspected arson attacks in the last month.

The first attack happened on June 22 at the Horley Lawn Tennis Club in Vicarage Road with the last fire occurring at Horley's Oakwood Sports Centre in Balcombe Road on Sunday evening.

Other fires have broken out at the Churchfields Bowls Club in Church Walk, Reigate on June 26 and the Old Reigatians Rugby club, which was attacked twice in week.

Police have confirmed they are also treating two other fires, one at a hairdressers in Victoria Road in Horley on the same day as the Tennis Club fire, and the other at an unoccupied house in Massetts Road, Horley a few days later as suspicious.

At a public meeting earlier tonight, DCI Archibald said: "Arson is a very rare crime and of this scale, I've been in the police 28 years, and I've not had anything like this on this scale."

He added: "A significant number of officers have been assigned to this investigation, it's taking people away from their day jobs across the force."

Increased patrols have taken place in the areas that have been targeted so far and some clubs have gone so far as to hire security staff to stand watch - although police have advised against club members staying or sleeping in premises over night.

A 43-year-old man from Epsom was arrested on July 5 in connection with the fires, and was released on bail until August 21.

A £2,000 reward is still on offer from Crimestoppers for any information passed to them which leads to the conviction of an offender.

The appeal for information has also been sent nationwide when it featured on BBC One's Crimewatch Roadshow at the start of the month.

Anyone with any information should call 101 quoting the reference number P14210504 or report it online using Surrey Police's online reporting system at http://www.surrey.police.uk/.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

REIGATE Priory Athletics Club juniors had a very busy weekend.

Pride of place goes to Sophie Elliss, who represented England in the schools' international at the 80m hurdles in Cardiff.

Elliss took third place in the race competing against two from each of Scotland, Wales and Ireland plus a second from England. Another hurdling success came with Callum Holder in the U13 75m race at the UKA Youth Development League match held at the David Weir Centre in Carshalton.

Holder's time of 12.1 sees him currently ranked number one in the UK for the event.

Holder along with fellow RPAC U13 Lily Grant, 800m, and Jack Broughton, long jump, has been selected for the Surrey U13 team for the 13 county inter-counties match at the end of the month.

Clara Grinyer, 800m, and Emily Horning, long jump, both represented Surrey in the U17 inter-counties match in Portsmouth last Sunday.

And many athletes recorded personal bests at the Youth Devlopment League match on Saturday. There were three pbs each for Holder (75m hurdles, 100m and long jump), Theo Lewis (800m, 100m and javelin), Katie Mackinson (800m, javelin and shot) and Lucy Broderick (800m, javelin and shot).

Poppy Wardley scored pbs in two events (800m and high jump) as did Lily Grant (1200m and high jump). Grant's 1200m time was the second fastest ever recorded at Reigate Priory for an U13 girl.

MORE than 150 people took part in the Caterham Rotary Half Marathon at Redhill Aerodrome on Sunday.

Runners from local clubs including Reigate Priory Athletic Club, Lingfield Running Club, Oxted Runners and Horley Harriers raced, but it was London Heathside athlete Matt Collins who finished first in one hour, 20 minutes and 48 seconds.

Haywards Heath Harriers' Josh Pewter came second in 1:22.40, while third place went to unattached runner Stuart Pearce (1:23.22). South London Harriers' Natalie Harvey was the first woman over the finish line, fourth overall, in a time of 1:23.45.

Priory's Steve Rhodes (1:34.25) was the first east Surrey-affiliated runner to finish, in 17th.

Results: 17 Steve Rhodes (Reigate Priory) 1.34.25; 18 Wayne Chappell (Reigate Priory) 1.35.20; 27 Sarah Campbell (Reigate Priory) 1.38.08; 41 Mike Scott (Reigate Priory) 1.43.46; 46 Steve Murphy (Reigate Priory) 1.47.52; 52 Debbie Robinson (Reigate Priory) 1.48.55; 54 Vernon Given (Lingfield Running Club) 1.49.19; 62 Wayne Greaves (Horley Harriers) 1.51.32.; 75 Guy Wates (Lingfield Running Club) 1.56.16; 94 Sean Hearson (Oxted Runners) 2.01.47; 121 Emma Fuller (Lingfield Running Club) 2.14.29; 133 Sally Gall (Oxted Runners) 2.19.55; 148 Gabi Berkelmann (Reigate Priory) 2.31.16; 156 Alan Payne (Oxted Runners) 2.40.55.

YOUTH FOOTBALL: Merstham Bilbao U12 Football Team are looking for players (especially a goalkeeper) to add to this season's second-team squad.

The team are playing in the Epsom and Ewell Sunday League Division One.

Boys will need to be under 12 years old (school Year 6 or 7) and be available to play on a Sunday morning.

Training is on Friday from 5.30pm to 7pm at the Merstham recreation ground.

For more information please contact John Gellett on 07540 851669 or at ttelleg@gmail.com.

MERSTHAM suffered their first league defeat of the season as Woodmansterne climbed to fourth.

Nav Saeed's men remain top of the league with a 32-point lead over Chaldon, who also lost at Wallington.

Merstham were invited to bat at Quality Street and reached 48 before Woods keeper Robert Hicks ran out Jason Kyte for 18.

Ashar Syed made a valuable 60, his highest of the league season before becoming one of Tom Beaumont's three victims to leave the score 120-4.

Noman Javed made a good start with 26, before becoming one of four dismissed by Arron Wells (4-17).

In reply, Merstham made a great start with the score on 16, when Alex Squires was caught and bowled by Arsalan Abass.

Fellow opener Wells was next to go, but not until Woods had 78 runs on the board, thanks to Danny Turner, whose unbeaten 88 with 14 fours proved crucial.

Wells' conqueror was Asim Jafferi (3-46), who bowled him for 25. Rushikesh Deshmukh (8) was caught by Andy Rivers making the score 89-3 but Turner upped the momentum to 144 before Ian Miller was out for 16.

Hicks (24no) helped Turner steer the visitors to victory in the 41st over.

A PETITION objecting to Sainsbury's plans to open a store in Tadworth village has gained more than 200 signatures in two days.

The supermarket has submitted an application to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council to convert the village's Mini dealership into a convenience store.

Traders and residents have voiced their concerns about proposals for The Avenue site, which would include 14 parking spaces, an ATM and illuminated wall sign.

Tadworth and Walton Residents' Association has also objected.

Chris Chapman, owner of the butchers, started the petition and has organised a public meeting tomorrow (Friday) to discuss the issues.

Mr Chapman has raised concerns with the number of deliveries to the site.

Sainsbury's initially said two depot deliveries would be made, but Mr Chapman has said he was told by Sainsbury's representatives at a residents' association meeting that at least six additional deliveries of milk, bread, newspapers and cigarettes would be made.

He added: "How can they be sure there won't be more than one delivery at a time?"

He also added the proposed parking spaces did not accommodate for staff parking, and there was already pressure on parking in the village.

He added the store could also have a "catastrophic effect" on Tadworth.

"It's a very special village for many residents, we care deeply about it," he said.

The meeting will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd Hall tomorrow (Friday) at 7.30pm.

The council will decide whether to grant permission by September 1.

TENNIS: Reigate Lawn Tennis Club held the finals of its Club Championship on Sunday.

The weather forecast was not good; however, the day was blessed with much sunshine and some excellent competitive play in the senior and junior finals.

An excellent turnout by club members added to the spirit of the day with a total of 15 finals decided.

Club members Mark Whitehouse, Adam Skalsky and Andrew Watson have been awarded ATP points, meaning the players feature on the world ranking lists.

Results:

Senior Events.

Ladies singles; Lucy Charlton defeated Hannah Ferret 6-4, 6-1.

Men's singles; James Smith defeated Andrew Watson 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.

Ladies doubles; Lucy Charlton and Alex Chajkin defeated Jackie Llewellyn and Mandy Ogden 6-0, 6-2.

Mixed doubles; James Smith and Fiona Bickley beat David Gibbon and Lucy Charlton 6-0, 6-4.

Junior Events.

U8 girls singles; Emily Whittle defeated Isabel Light 10-5.

U8 boys singles; James Alston defeated Samuel Riudavets-Bromwick 10-5.

U10 mixed singles; Julianne Gibbon defeated Clara Alston 4-1, 4-2.

U12 girls singles; Sofia Gibbon defeated Simone Kellard 6-3, 6-0.

U12 boys singles; Joel defeated Max Sutton-Parker 6-4, 6-3.

U14 girls singles; Maisie Kellard defeated Madeline Alcock 6-4, 6-0.

U14 boys singles; Chris Jackson defeated Archie Trevor 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.

U14 boys doubles; Chris Jackson and Archie Trevor defeated Will Chapman and Ben Harris 6-0, 6-4.

U14 girls doubles; Charlotte Endsleigh and Sofia Gibbon defeated Sophie Bliss and Taylor Weber 6-1, 6-1.

U14 mixed doubles; Woody Goss and Maisie Kellard defeated Ben Harris and Izzi Herd 6-1, 6-1.

U16 boys singles; Lucas Robley Dixon defeated Alex Chalder 4-6, 7-6, 11-9.

TEENAGER Richard Lock's 82 and a half-century from Hamza Taaj helped earned Banstead their first win of the season on Saturday.

With fellow strugglers Leatherhead also winning, the six wicket victory was vitally important for the Rams but drags opponents Guildford firmly into the relegation mire.

And Rams skipper Dan Newton admitted he was delighted for things to finally come together for his side.

"We haven't lost a game for a month now and we've deserved to win for the last couple of games so it was brilliant to finally get maximum points on the board," Newton said. "We are starting to put out consistently good performances which is great to see.

"It was a great batting performance from Richard Lock.

"He's only young but he played with a lot of confidence and was probably a little disappointed he didn't get a century.

"It was a first 50 for Hamza at Banstead as well, and Freddie van den Bergh once again showed his class with the bat."

Guildford won the toss at Avenue Road and decided to bat; opener Jack Cunningham went for seven, caught by van den Bergh off the bowling of Richard Bedbrook.

Ben Jeffery (22) came in and began to form a partnership with Tom Collins (49) but once they were removed the Rams kept the wickets coming at a steady rate, never allowing a big score from their out-of-form opponents.

Van den Bergh took four wickets (4-59) and Bedbrook three (3-44) as Guildford were dismissed for 182.

Banstead looked determined to break their duck and despite Gregory Dann going for 11, Taaj (51) and Lock put on a steady and sensible partnership.

The pair were careful not to give away their wickets cheaply but Lock looked particularly impressive with the bat, hitting some big sixes.

A knock of 20 from overseas player Uwe Birkenstock alongside former skipper Sam Woodward took the home side over the line for their first league win of 2014.

Banstead travel to fellow strugglers Leatherhead on Saturday, and nothing less than a win will do for Newton.

"Leatherhead are in good form but as far as we are concerned they are another very beatable team," the skipper said.

"We are full of confidence and on paper, man-for-man, I think it's a game we should win."

A RESOUNDING 78-run victory over Newdigate on Sunday confirmed Caterham U13s as East Surrey Colts League champions for 2014.

This is the second successive year the same group of players has brought home silverware after winning the U12 Cup in 2013, and it was the clubs' first Colts League title since winning the same age group in 2009.

After being put into bat Caterham put together a commanding total of 155-6 thanks to James Murphy, Billy Minchella plus Connor Cassar (20no).

The home side then got off to a disastrous start as David Hocking struck in his first over, the second of the innings, and then four wickets fell in the third over.

There was a run out off the first ball before James Murphy took a hat-trick (all clean bowled) as Newdigate slipped to 4-5, and then soon after they were 17-7 after Drew Murphy took 2-2.

As Caterham ringed the bowling changes to give everyone but the keeper a bowl Newdigate managed to edge their way to 77 all out with fittingly, Murphy (4-8) taking the final wicket to round off a great day for the all-rounder.

Caterham finished the season with ten wins and just one defeat, by one run against Chipstead, Coulsdon and Walcountians.

Caterham: Drew Murphy, Joel Boorman, James Murphy, David Hocking, Alex Moore, Connor Cassar, Jack Treacher, Billy Minchella, Robert Cousins, Felix Sarup, Jessamine Kelly.

MANAGER Mike Maher has appealed for the Ryman League to reconsider sending Redhill to Guernsey on Boxing Day, insisting a 3pm kick-off is unfeasible.

When the Ryman League fixtures were announced on Thursday it was inevitable one of the clubs based around Gatwick Airport would be dealt an away fixture in the Channel Islands over the festive period.

Last season, Crawley Down Gatwick drew the short straw and travelled to Guernsey with a youth team on New Year's Day, only to be humiliated 11-0.

And Maher believes he will also be unable to field a full strength side unless the Ryman League alter the arranged 3pm kick off on December 26.

"I think it's ridiculous," the Lobsters boss said. "We got stitched up last year with a Bank Holiday game out there and it's just because we are one of the teams closer to Gatwick.

"It's a midweek fixture, so as far as I'm concerned it should be a 7.45pm kick-off. At least if it was an evening kick-off the players could spend Christmas Day with their families, as it is, some of the players and myself included will probably have to spend Christmas evening in a hotel to be able to get to the airport early enough.

"We aren't professionals; you can't expect players to leave their family on Christmas Day. I can't see us fielding a first team for a 3pm kick-off in Guernsey on Boxing Day."

The Lobsters start the Division One South season at home to a side they know well: newly-promoted East Grinstead Town on Saturday, August 9

IT WAS gold, silver and bronze for the east Surrey girls at the SIAB Schools U17 track and field international, helping England to a clear win overall.

Competing against teenagers from Scotland, Ireland and Wales, the Surrey athletes were selected after their success at the English Schools Championship in Birmingham last week.

After her win at English Schools last weekend, Reigate Grammar School student Tilly Hooper took gold again at the Cardiff-based international, clearing a distance of 3.55-metres in the pole vault.

St Bede's pupil Niamh Brown took silver in the 3000m at English Schools and once again found herself finishing a close second behind the same girl, Harriet Knowles-Jones, in Cardiff. Brown, 15, finished in 9 minutes 44.21 seconds, almost exactly the same time she recorded in Birmingham the weekend before.

Reigate Grammar School's Sophie Elliss bagged a bronze in the 80m hurdles in Cardiff.

Elliss, who is also a member of Reigate Priory Athletic Club, took silver at English Schools the previous weekend, but ran a slightly slower 11.71 for third in Wales.

And with two girls on the podium for their country, head of girls' sport Liz Mitchell admits the whole of Reigate Grammar School have been cheering Hooper and Elliss on.

"We are very proud, it's a fantastic achievement and hopefully just the start of the girls' international careers," she said. "They put a lot of hard work into their athletics, both at school and outside school.

"I know Sophie regularly travels down to Portsmouth for coaching sessions. They both come from very sporting families; Tilly's father competed in the pole vault at an Olympics and her mum represented Great Britain in the sport too, and Sophie's brother skis for Great Britain."

Holland Sports Athletic Club high jumper Ocean Schwartz was also asked to represent his country in Cardiff, but after a series of jumps over two-metres this summer, the 16-year-old could only clear 1.80m, finishing fifth.