An official Air Accident Investigation Branch report into the incident in which the pilot, Harry Barker, of Bourne Road, Carlby, died has fails to identify any firm reason for the crash though.

The newly published report says the 1976 built Piper Arrow – reg G-BKFZ – being flown by Mr Barker, who had nearly 1,000 hours flying experience had descended into foggy conditions.

But it continues: "The reason for the aircraft's descent into foggy conditions could not be clearly established."

The report says that on February 13 Mr Barker took off from Spanhoe Airfield to return to the aircraft's home base of Shackwell Lodge, six miles to the north east of Spanhoe.

It says that at the time of take-off there was an area of very low cloud with mist and fog moving in from the east.

People who were walking in the area of Rutland Water at the time of the accident later described how the earlier clear and sunny weather had been replaced, suddenly, by very foggy conditions.

The report says it was unlikely that Mr Barker would have deliberately descended to a dangerously low height in fog.

However, it adds that it is possible his initial intention may have been to get below the 'cloud' layer.

A post mortem did not reveal any medical problems which might have caused him to lose control though the possibility of him suffering "some sort of brief incapacitating event" could not be ruled out.

On the possibility of a malfunction te report says that an analysis of the wreckage had indicated that a major failure or malfunction of the aircraft was unlikely to have occurred.

But it says that the positions of the fuel pump switch and magneto switch were consistent with attempts being made to deal with an engine problem. Some witnesses had spoken of hearing the engine running, whilst others spoke of hearing abnormal engine sounds.