The Irish pilot who survived last Sunday’s Aero GP fatal incident is not expected to be arraigned in court, although the magisterial inquiry into the case continues, sources close to the investigation told The Malta Independent.
Edward William Goggins, 36, was involved in the plane crash, a result of which Swedish pilot Gabor Varga died.
A warrant for the temporary arrest of Mr Goggins was ordered by the police on Monday since there was a possibility that according to law, he could have committed involuntary homicide when he crashed into the tail of Mr Varga’s plane.
Various aviation experts who testified in court said that the plane crash was clearly an accident, while Mr Goggins himself testified by saying that he did not see Mr Varga’s plane.
Mr Goggins was held under house arrest at the Radisson SAS Baypoint Resort until yesterday at around noon, when a court presided over by Magistrate Joseph Apap Bologna decided that the warrant be rescinded.
Mr Varga lost his life tragically in the opening lap of the first round of the Malta Aero GP, which was held over Marsamxett Harbour, Valletta on Sunday.
An autopsy held on Tuesday showed that the pilot was dead when he was brought to the surface having suffered a ruptured lung, serious multiple injuries combined with drowning, the police said.
He was vying for the lead with Mr Goggins when the two planes collided as they entered a climbing turn around Tignè Point in Sliema.
Mr Goggins’ aircraft chewed off the tail section of the Yak-55 which immediately nose-dived into the water just outside the harbour.
This was the first time that the Aero GP took place in Malta and it was first held in Slovenia last year. While the Malta Aero GP was cancelled after the crash, it is unclear as to whether two more races scheduled for this year will be held.
Before the race, the organisers had highlighted that the risks they take are far greater than those taken by Formula One drivers.
According to the Aero-GP website, this international motor sports series is nothing like an air show, but it “is a super competitive world series that pushes elite pilots and their aircraft to the limit”.