Emiliano Sala crash – Pilot who was supposed to be flying the doomed flight arrested on suspicion of manslaughter of Cardiff City striker

A PILOT has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter over the plane crash death of footballer Emiliano Sala.

David Henderson, 64, a private pilot, was registered as taking charge of the doomed flight from France to Cardiff, but later drafted in David Ibbotson, 59.

Sala, 28, had just signed for Cardiff City for £15million from Nantes and was flying to meet his teammates.

The Piper Malibu PA-46 flown by Mr Ibbotson went down off Guernsey on January 21.

It later emerged that Mr Ibbotson was not qualified to fly at night and should not have been carrying commercial passengers.

Sala’s remains were recovered on February 6, but Mr Ibbotson, of Crowle, Lincs, is still missing.

Det Insp Simon Huxter, of Dorset Police, said officers “have to consider whether there is evidence of suspected criminality”.

He added: “As a result of our inquiries, we have arrested a 64-year-old man from North Yorkshire on suspicion of manslaughter by an unlawful act.”

The force added the families of the two men who died had been informed.

The man was later released from custody under investigation.

A preliminary accident report said Mr Ibbotson was not licensed to fly fee-paying passengers.

The flight was arranged by ex-football agent Willie McKay — whose son Mark brokered Sala’s transfer — via Mr Henderson.

Mr McKay said he asked Mr Henderson, an experienced commercial pilot, to fly the footballer to Cardiff.

However, it is understood he was unable to do so, and the plane was flown by Mr Ibbotson.

Flight records showed Mr Ibbotson had descended rapidly while making a series of sharp turns before crashing.

The arrest comes as two people prepare to go before JPs in Swindon, Wilts, next month over photos of Sala in a mortuary.

Sherry Bray, 48, of Corsham, is charged with perverting justice and sending an indecent message. She and Christopher Ashford, 62, of Calne, also face computer misuse raps.