British pilot arrested in connection with the death of ex Mallorcan footballer

POLICE have arrested a 64-year-old British man in relation to the death of Argentinian footballer Emiliano Sala, 28.

David Henderson from York was held by police yesterday morning on suspicion of manslaughter by an unlawful act after the plane he was meant to be flying crashed off the coast of Alderney, Dorset on January 21.

Dorset Police have since released Mr Henderson from custody and he is under investigation.

Emiliano, a former youth footballer at Mallorcan side Soledad de Palma, was travelling to the UK after completing his signing to the Premier League to play for Cardiff city when the accident happened.

Mr Henderson had been asked by Emiliano’s management to fly the footballer to the UK from Nantes in France however he pulled out at the last minute, drafting in David Ibbotson to fly the plane instead. David was a part time pilot and not qualified to take passengers.

However during the flight the plane hit bad weather and crashed into the English Channel, killing both Mr Ibbotson, 59, and Mr Sala whose body was discovered on February 3.

Mr Henderson was arrested yesterday morning (June 19) for manslaughter for handing the flight over to an unqualified pilot.