7. The Pilot

Five years on from the tragedy, Kayley brings listeners up to date on some developments since the podcast concluded. She looks at ongoing legal cases and what some of the key figures in the story are doing now.

In the final episode of the series Kayley reflects on the impact the tragedy has had in the UK and around the world. As Emiliano's friends and family endeavour to keep his memory alive the footballer's legacy is clear to see. Writer and Presenter: Kayley Thomas Producer: Jenny Johnson Story Consultant: Emma Harding Sound Design: Cathy Robinson Original Music: Gizmo Varillas Series Editor and Executive Producer: Lorraine Walsh

Kayley discovers the way Emiliano's final flight was organised was far from unique. In this episode she shines a light on the murky world of illegal charters, and asks if, more than three years since Emiliano Sala and David Ibbotson lost their lives, anything has changed?Writer and Presenter: Kayley Thomas Producer: Jenny Johnson Sound Design: Cathy Robinson Story Consultant: Emma Harding Original Music: Gizmo Varillas Executive Producer: Lorraine Walsh

For the first time ever, insight into how pilot David Ibbotson was feeling about the plane just hours before the ill-fated flight. Having experienced problems on the inbound leg listeners hear what he really thought about Piper Malibu N264DB. Throughout the series much has been revealed about his background and training as a pilot, but in this episode we learn more about the man behind the headlines. Writer and Presenter: Kayley Thomas Producer: Jenny Johnson Additional Production: Geraint Thomas Story Consultant: Emma Harding Sound Design: Cathy Robinson Original Music: Gizmo Varillas Executive Producer: Lorraine Walshemail: [email protected]~~~With thanks to ITV Archive~~~

In the first half of the 2018/19 season Cardiff City were recently promoted but struggling on the pitch. They desperately needed to sign a striker to score goals and help avoid relegation. Why and how did Emiliano Sala become their target? And what has been the impact on football since the transfer went so catastrophically wrong?Writer and Presenter: Kayley Thomas Producer: Jenny Johnson Story Consultant: Emma Harding Sound Design: Cathy Robinson Original Music: Gizmo Varillas Executive Producer: Lorraine Walshemail: [email protected]

As the operator of Piper Malibu N264DB finds himself on trial, the way the flight was organised is laid bare. While Emiliano Sala's family and friends are desperate to see justice served, it's in the hands of the jury to decide. Court reconstruction: Martin Goudie .....Matthew Gravelle David Henderson......Gerard McDermott Writer and Presenter: Kayley Thomas Producer: Jenny Johnson Drama Director: Emma Harding Sound Design: Cathy Robinson Original Music: Gizmo Varillas Executive Producer: Lorraine Walshemail: [email protected]

In this episode listeners will experience how the fateful flight, which was carrying Emiliano Sala to a new life in the Premier League, unfolded. The challenges the pilot faced will be revealed and we'll hear about an unexpected finding which shocked everyone, even those leading the investigation. Writer and Presenter: Kayley Thomas Producer: Jenny Johnson Story Consultant: Emma Harding Sound Design: Cathy Robinson Original Music: Gizmo Varillas Executive Producer: Lorraine Walsh

Kayley travels to Nantes to meet some of Emiliano Sala's closest friends. She reveals how his transfer to Cardiff City came about. In this episode we hear how the footballer was feeling as the deal was done and he prepared to leave France for a new life in the Premier League.Writer and Presenter: Kayley Thomas Producer: Jenny Johnson Story Consultant: Emma Harding Sound Design: Cathy Robinson Original Music: Gizmo Varillas Executive Producer: Lorraine Walshemail: [email protected]

As the search for the plane Emiliano Sala was travelling in gets underway, the impact of the tragedy is laid bare. Fans of two very different football clubs, in different countries are united in grief. And will the shipwreck hunter manage to make good on the promise he made Emiliano's mother to find her son?Writer and Presenter: Kayley Thomas Producer: Jenny Johnson Story Consultant: Emma Harding Sound Design: Cathy Robinson Original Music: Gizmo Varillas Executive Producer: Lorraine Walshemail: [email protected]

On the cusp of a career in the Premier League, 28-year-old Emiliano Sala boarded a plane from Nantes to Cardiff. He was due to start training the very next day. But when his plane disappeared from radar over the English Channel the grim reality of what had happened shocked the world. Listeners are transported back to January 2019 as fans in Nantes and Cardiff struggled to come to terms with the tragedy. Kayley Thomas speaks to people who were at the centre of the drama as it unfolded and reveals how the decision was finally taken to search for the plane. Writer and Presenter: Kayley Thomas Producer: Jenny Johnson Story Consultant: Emma Harding Sound Design: Cathy Robinson Original Music: Gizmo Varillas Executive Producer: Lorraine Walshemail: [email protected]