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I want to echo the earlier sentiments of Latcher and Bluedredd for the way in which the OTIB forum has responded to this dreadful news. Thank you, and respect.

Just signed up to say thanks for the comments on here. Football and our rivalry is rightly irrelevant today. You guys have shown a lot of class here today.

Red, concur with that. As stated earlier I used to own a Cessna Aerobat which I operated from Lulsgate.Because I rented it back to the flying club, it was on what was called a Public Transport C of A. This entailed an annual check plus a check every 60 days , even if it had not been flown. It got costly in this country ( because of the engineering fees, hangarage etc ) so I had to sell it. I have flown 6 seaters to France and once , loaded with passengers, and duty free in the hold, whilst doing pre take off checks, a magneto fault was highlighted, so back to the flying club and abandon of trip. The call is always with the Pilot and I for one flew safe as I valued my life, but being trained in the RAF helped. I flew many variants up to a Jet Provost but the simple laws are still there. Weather. State of aircraft. Is the pilot certified on Night flying and also Instrument Flying. Slowly we will know the truth so until we hear the total facts, we can only make assumptions based on our knowledge.

Times like this, who you support is irrelevant. People have died, and anyone who doesn’t think what has happened here is tragic isn’t human.

Football is irrelevant on a day like today. A young family man has lost his life after securing himself a new future, and the thought of it makes me sick to my stomach. Thank you to all the BCFC fans that have sent their thoughts to our club and putting rivalry aside. Despite us not having the chance to see him play, he was a Cardiff City player and a fellow Bluebird nonetheless. Respect to Bristol City.

Stuart's story After a string of failed relationships left me homeless and sent me into the clutch of drug and drink addictions and petty theft to escape the reality of my situation I felt I only had my dog to turn to, my faithful companion in times of need. I was begging for drink money in Salisbury city centre when a northern man in a tracksuit came up to me. He started asking how I was and what the dog was called. He seemed very interested in my dog as I remember; which was nice of him. Anyway when he heard my story he said that there was a place he knew in Bristol where I could get regular hot food and me and the dog could have a run about on a field, others used to join us and we'd kick a ball about. After a few weeks of this he said he would look after the dog whilst we kicked the ball about, and if I did it on Saturday afternoons then he could even pay me as there was a special fund set up by a Mr Qadi. I even got some new clothes for Saturdays. Life is now great, I get to sleep in the clubhouse and have enough money for two pasties a day and lots of hot drinks. And I am off the booze and drugs. I stil wonder what happened to my dog though.

Time for some half and halfs. Going to Wembly and Going Down.

I wouldn't agree, I think there's many instances in life you do things you're uncomfortable with under the reasoning "it'll never happen to me". You simply don't expect to die while travelling in the developed world. Further, I'd speculate a lot goes down to a person's character. Doubt he wanted to miss his first day in training because he was 'scared of getting on a plane' or look like a skiving big time charlie by missing his first session, etc., etc.

An eerie video on BBC about the dangers of flying small Aircraft, the Aircraft he talks through is the actual one they are looking for N264DB https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/magazine-34492176/my-life-as-a-ferry-pilot

Which, technically would be their final of sorts. A chance to play in a big stadium, in front of 11,500 fans who will doubtless be impressed by the 250 who travel on a Tuesday night, and will go out of their way to say that the Fewers are far friendlier and less arrogant than City fans. Oh, almost forgot, they'll have created the best atmosphere the SOL has EVER seen. All of which will be entirely true of course.

Unfortunately, machismo kicks in. With the Munich Air Crash it was stated afterwards that many on board were apprehensive about boarding the plane a third time after two aborted takeoffs in the snow, yet nobody said that they refuse to get on board. Had someone done so there's a good chance others would've followed the lead. Sometimes the bravest thing of all is to be the first to admit that you are too scared to do something and thus refuse to do it. Similar machismo kicked in with the deaths in plane crashes of music stars Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper and Richie Valens in 1959 and Otis Redding and the Barkays in 1967. In the latter case, they boarded Redding's private aircraft and, according to the only survivor, were apprehensive when the pilot said that the battery was low but hoped there was enough juice in it (in freezing cold weather) to get them from Cleveland, Ohio to Madison, Wisconsin! Indeed, the heating in the plane couldnt be turned on for this reason. Yet, they all boarded without a whimper.

Cardiff fan here. I often peruse this forum without having felt the need to post before. Just wanted to say thank you for the way you've conducted yourselves in this thread...class! Prayers for Emiliano.

Sure everything will come out in the fullness of time regarding how and by whom the flight was arranged. The whole thing just seems very odd - IFR flight over water in the dark in a single engine, in conditions where icing is likely to be present. Pretty much everything you’d want to avoid, and when it was so avoidable, it seems incredible that those risks were taken when a (not difficult) commercial alternative was available.

They had an open top bus tour remember for finishing 2nd in the Conference. Barnet (who went up as Champions) didn’t bother having one. The reality is that they will probably take 26,000 of which (according to #Gaslogic) will mainly be made up of Ted’s hoping to see the Sags get beat. There will also be 20k locked out who stopped off at Wycombe on the way to smash up some of their manors, like the Harvester and Little Chef. Then they will go on and on about how they took over 40,000 (even though this will be factually incorrect of course), how loyal and true they all are and whilst pulling each other off they’ll be singing songs about the Teds, asking where all the Teds have gone, go on about how they’ll be coming for us again, how much better atmosphere they created than the Teds (but not wish to discuss the pre-match standard violent outbursts by their Neanderthal Tote Enders obviously). My retort would simply be....”Well, as cup competitions go, if you win a trophy 3 times then you used to get to keep it, so technically you’ve just won the Sheed’ead Trophy. Now go and stick it next to the defunct Watney Cup and enjoy League 2”

Indeed. One thing also worth mentioning is the plane was presumably flown by a qualified pilot who presumably knew the plane, would have been experienced flying it and would have been risking their own life if they took off when they did not believe it to be safe to do so. Of course, people make errors or reckless decisions in all walks of life but I do think people need to be a bit careful over-speculating as we are effectively making assumptions about the judgement and competence of a man who is likely to have also died in this incident. Once the plane is found, there will obviously be an investigation that will hopefully uncover any mistakes made or lessons to be learned but I do feel it a bit premature for us to speculate too much on what has happened.

It’s times like this we simply have to put club rivalries aside. We are just part of one big football family after all. And on a wider scale I hope we all share human compassion.

I keep checking into this thread - and the news apps in the unlikely hope of some good news but to no avail and the longer this goes on the less likely it is that there is a positive outcome. Tragic.

I know it’s very different, but a week before 7/7, I was heading back from meetings in London and had just boarded my train (still a few minutes til it left) at Paddington when the alarms went off and we were all told over the tannoy to evacuate. Not one of us moved, expecting a false alarm and likelihood of losing your seat. It was only when the guard came onboard and told us to move that we did. Within 5 yards of getting off the train a few people said “it will be a false alarm” and now out of the guard’s eye, turned around and got back on the train. Like sheep we all followed them. It was a false alarm, but none if us knew that at the time.

Misplaced sarcasm I guess as the pilot has almost certainly lost his life but possibly better choices as pilot if those facebook posts are to be believed which were worrying.

Wasn't called David Watts was he?

The early rounds of this competition have always been poorly attended Eddie, even before the introduction of under 21 teams. If there was a final where hardly anyone showed up that would send a message to the FA. If Rovers do get to the final and their fans want to go then fair enough, that’s up to them, but they can’t then complain if they find themselves playing our youngsters competitively in a few years time.

Quote from pilots forum "It is understood Mr Ibbotson, had been hired along with the Norfolk-registered single engine plane, by Sala’s representatives to fly the player to Cardiff after he had said his farewells to team-mates at his old club Nantes. Mr Ibbotson, who worked as a gas engineer based in Crowle, is believed to have had extensive experience carrying parachute enthusiasts on flights from private airfields. One picture shows him him at the controls of a light aircraft in a selfie with a parachute jumper." Ideal chap to be flying a complex single at night, IFR in dodgy icing conditions. Sala's reps and the owner of the aircraft have some serious questions to answer if this is true. After 30 years as a professional pilot with all the checks you have to pass along the way I can't believe that such stupidity is still going on. And organisations like Wingly, Grant Shaps red tape challenge and the supine attitude of the CAA have done nothing to enhance safety. I am so angry at the death of Mr Sala. Save a few quid, probably break any number of laws, kill someone. What a disgusting waste of life and talent.

As @KeepUpLino said I don't think it's machismo; it's more about continuing with regular activities despite the warning signs. I've never refused to board a plane, and I've never had any reason not to, but to stand up and refuse to board a plane because it's been having trouble would seem odd. Maybe it's past experience overriding the current situation. A better word would maybe be "habit". I'm not entirely compliant, for instance I flat refuse to drive in snow; to the point where I would rather lose my job rather than drive in it. This stems from the very rational view (IMO) that the last time I drove in snow I crashed because of the snow so I'm not doing it again. Planes though: there are loads of safety rules and preflight checks these days, you're on with a vastly experienced pilot who knows the risks and is as much in danger as you are if things go wrong. Essentially you're trusting the pilot rather than the plane. 1959 was an awfully long time ago and rules were much slacker.

I haven’t read everything that’s been written on this aspect of the story, so apologies if this has already been covered, but I’m not clear whether this was a flight being provided by a properly registered and regulated commercial operator, albeit on a private charter basis, or just an arrangement with some bloke with a private pilot’s licence and a single engined plane. If it’s the latter then I agree it does seem a strange thing to do. Experienced pilot or not, I’m pretty sure air accident statistics would show you are safer flying with a commercial operator. I have been on short flights in light aircraft on numerous occasions just for fun, and enjoyed it, but I’m buggered if I’d undertake something like this. You just feel so sorry for the poor sod: like others I have been surprised at my own reactions and just how upsetting I’ve found it. Very, very sad.

Let's wait for the "Gas are on their way to Wembly" scarves.

Sunderland and Pompey are on an upward trajectory. Their fans may feel that they won’t be competing in the EFL Trophy for a very long time after this season (unless their own under 21s end up in it). Rovers on the other hand will probably participate in this competition that has been ruined by the FA for many years to come. I would actually have a great deal of respect for their fans IF they boycotted the final, especially as trips to Wembley are not a yearly occurrence. To do so however would take principles and a backbone. So with that in mind and knowing Gasheads as we do, I expect they’ll not only take 35-40k but will also boast about it.

I watched FYRE on Netflix’s last night, and it very much reminded me of Rovers in that many gullible people got sold the dream by a so say rich person, only to find out he was skint and full of sh*t and could only deliver a nightmare of epic proportions! Rovers fans be warned! Worth a watch if you’ve not seen it!

Bristol City (1982) Ltd as a company was wound up in 1996, so it’s not even relevant anymore, unlike 2015, the year that the Sags joined the Football League. As someone said a few years ago, talking about 1982 is like kicking a dog that is already dead. It’s utterly pathetic and has no effect on any City fan I know. However, mention “Tinpot” and Rovers in the same sentence to any Sag and you’d better stand well back! A bloke who used to delight in letting me know when City were losing, along with his mate who used to get really excited about City losing and would do an excited squeally laugh as if he was literally ejaculating into his trousers at the very thought that City were losing. This is the Sags all over.

I can only quote about hot air balloons as I know about them, but they have a yearly MOT, a C of A ( certificate of airworthiness). The pilots also log every flying hour it does in a log book. I guess it’s the same or stricter for any aircraft. Hot air pilots also do a load of pre flight checks, testing all equipment throughly and also a full visual check of the balloon, basket etc. Even if they have flown earlier that day they do the checks throughly again if they fly a few hours later, it’s something drummed into them, they don’t cut corners. Many passengers might think the pilot is ignoring their questions, but it’s because he/she is concentrating on safety. I would think any pilot of any aircraft would do the same. Obviously things can suddenly fail, the helicopter of the Leicester owner a couple of months ago. Each flying craft has a registration G- xxxx if they are registered in the UK, there are websites you can look up ownership etc, sometimes details such as lightening strikes are noted. The message you quote is alarming of course, but this was probably the smallest plane the player had ever been on. Every rattle is going to be more frightening compared to a jumbo jet. I’m in no way dismissing his concerns, which have been proven, but just saying most people wouldn’t find it a comfortable experience I don’t think. i am surprised such small planes are used to fly at night. Not saying if something was going to happen leaving it a few hours later until daylight would have had a different outcome, but surely the darkness didn’t help the search and rescue. I know they have thermal imaging etc. A very sad situation for all involved.

It means what you think it does! some one has changed the text script so everyone you in the letters U. T. G it gets changed to Ftg!!

Speaking of football family, this is the club which lost its entire team in a plane crash just over two years ago. They are praying for a quick answer and hope they’ll be found well, adding they still believe that Sala will give much enjoyment to football lovers.

Oops 7 Plymouth 29 -13 33 18 Shrewsbury 28 -6 31 19 Gillingham 28 -9 31 20 Rochdale 29 -24 31 Mind the ever widening gap 21 Oxford Utd 28 -9 30 22 Bristol Rovers 28 -5 28 23 Bradford 28 -16 27 24 Wimbledon 29 -23 23

Some newspapers thought they had named the pilot yesterday. Then someone who appears to be the named pilot posted on social media clarifying he was still alive and so there has been confusion. I think papers are now holding back because of the confusion.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/8261010/emiliano-sala-plane-pilot-revealed-brit-dave-ibbotson/

Quite agree. The boycott is important. Whilst the JPT or whatever it is called these days was always a bit shit, it was a genuine chance for clubs in the bottom two divisions to get to a cup final. These days it seems to be more about trying to develop youth players from across the globe by giving them exposure to first team football. That said, one of the Fewers I work with is excited about the draw for the next round and hopes they get to the final as he'll go to that. His justification is, "we are going down this season, so a day out at a final would at least be something to look forward to'. And I can kind of understand that.

Fingers and everything else crossed!

Perhaps we could put up some banners at the bottom of Kingswood High Street for when they get back if they have lost filled with derogatory comments? Returning their compliments of course.

The other thing is you trust the pilot. I once boarded a commercial flight that was delayed for two hours, then had what was announced as a “final attempt to to see if we can fix it tonight” and then, once we had all boarded, had a power cut-out when they turned it on before taxiing. I was scared and concerned when they still carried on anyway but said nothing as I rationalised the pilots knew what they were doing, it was a commercial air company that had a reputation to protect and so it must be safe or else they would not be doing it. Often you just assume and trust professionals know what they are doing.

Oh they’re special alright.

I've been considering that, and it's the reason I don't believe the veracity of these messages. You simply wouldn't risk getting on a plane that you didn't feel comfortable with, and the pilot wouldn't fly it if there were any issues, you would presume. This is probably all fabricated on the internet.

Yes, Total Austerity.....makes sense now

There used to be a Camel Corps in the army.

Sent a voice message saying the plane was falling apart. So sad.

I see their Matty Taylor replacement (who cost them £350k btw) has scored, a penalty may I add, so his outstanding record for the Sags stands at a unbelievable 3 goals in 69 games. It’s No wonder why they keep telling us to be afraid and that they are coming for us with those sort of records. 1 every 23 games. #prolific

I would take a 60-40 split.

Thoughts with all at Cardiff, Sala's family and friends, and also the family and friends of the pilot. Such a tragic situation. Just horrific.

Awful news, a lot of respect on here. Football united.

No, you really don't have to ask that.

Wael's a 'ted...

The Gas tried to get their own back the summer they dropped into the Conference. In a desperate attempt to get their place in the League back they appealed to the FA for Wycombe to be fined and have points deducted over a supposedly dodgy signing they’d made years before. Given the Chairboys perilous financial position at the time, had Rovers been successful God knows what would’ve happened to Wycombe? Fortunately the FA laughed at Rovers, told them to **** off and to enjoy Braintree and Dartford away.