A PLANE crash in which Britain's top policeman narrowly escaped death was caused by two faulty bolts, an investigation has found.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens landed his Piper propeller plane at Newcastle Airport on two wheels after the landing gear failed to lower.
The plane's air speed indicator also failed and Sir John was forced to circle around Newcastle Airport for more than 90 minutes before getting clearance to land.
Sir John, 58, a former Northumbria Police chief constable, has 40 years' piloting experience and is a glider instructor.
He was praised at the time for avoiding tragedy when he guided the light plane to the ground in February last year.
A report on the crash by the Government's Air Accident Investigation branch revealed that a bolt jammed the landing gear, while another hexagonal bolt had been put in upside down.
The crash left the plane with damage to its propellers, fuselage and landing gear.
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