LITTLE Tara Lispcombe’s death, caused when a model aircraft struck her, occurred after a similar accident just six weeks before, an inquest heard.

The 13-year-old of Wilmot Road, Dartford, died three hours after a poorly-made model aircraft plummeted out of control on Dartford Heath last April 15.

But the inquest at North Kent Coroner’s Court in Gravesend heard how a similar accident happened when a model plane crashed three feet from a child last March, and experts from the British Model Flying Association’s (BMFA) discovered evidence of more accidents while carrying out their investigations.

Tara was struck across the head by the acrobatic model plane as she walked the family dog with mum Jane, sister Rachell, aunt Lisa Cockrill and cousins Charlotte and Natasha in the Glory Bumps on Dartford Heath.

Pilot Alan Ives of South Croydon, told how he saw two pieces fall off the plane before he lost control of it and watched the plane nosedive to the ground.

He and plane owner Roger Pamplin, of Joydens Wood, Bexley, rushed to where it landed and Mr Ives helped paramedics to the scene from where Tara was airlifted to Darent Valley Hospital.

The inquest heard how this was the plane’s first outing after Mr Pamplin completed putting the pieces together.

But Mr Pamplin spray-painted the separate pieces before constructing the model, making the hinges “inherently weak”, according to the BMFA’s development officer, Mike Goldby.

Mr Goldby said the checks made by the pair were not substantial enough to have identified the problem and the plane spun out of control when the fin and rudder snapped off.

The structure was flimsy because the fin was not touching the tail properly and a mixture of glues — including the inappropriate use of Superglue — was used.

The BMFA’s site adviser, Roger Bellingham said Dartford Heath currently failed on all of its 12 safety guidelines, including the flight area not being clearly marked, the landscape obstructing sight and planes flying above people.

He said Dartford Council’s recreational services manager, Bob Penny contacted the organisation for advice on introducing a permit system in August 2002 but had not responded after the BMFA said it supported the idea.

Mr Penny said no further steps were taken, despite a complaint from a parent after a plane crashed three feet away from her child and that no risk assessment on the heath was made.

Coroner Roger Hatch said there was insufficient evidence to support a verdict of gross negligence.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, he said he would write to the council’s chief executive of the inquest’s findings and his concerns.

“It seems the greatest shame nothing was done in August last year and in March this year when a similar accident almost took place when a plane came down a few feet from a child and parent.”

Speaking on behalf of the family, barrister Roy Lemon said the Lispscombes are pleased the coroner is writing to the council.

“Tara was a much-loved and bright girl with a bright future,” he said.

“There’s nothing that can replace her or compensate for her loss.”