A TEENAGE girl died after she was struck by a model aeroplane built by an inexperienced aircraft enthusiast, an inquest heard.

Coroner Roger Hatch was told said Tara Lipscombe, 13, of Wilmot Road, Dartford, died from severe head injuries when she was hit by an Acrowot plane piloted by Alan Ives.

Mr Ives, of Crest Road, South Croydon, and Robin Pamplin, of Joydens Wood Road, Bexley, were flying two model planes on Dartford Heath on April 15 when the accident happened.

Mr Ives was flying Mr Pamplin's model when he lost control. It stopped in mid-air and nosedived, crashing into Tara, a student at Wilmington Grammar School for Girls.

Following an investigation by the British Model Flying Association (BMFA), Mr Pamplin was blamed for poor construction of the plane.

Mike Goldby, developments officer for the BMFA, told the inquest: "After the accident the radio equipment was found to be not working. The joints of the plane were very weak because the glue used to stick parts together had been put on after the parts were painted.

"The build of the plane was poor and the manufacturer's instructions had not been followed. We found the two men were both inexperienced and had insufficient knowledge in the building of the aircraft."

Dartford Borough Council was criticised at the inquest for putting up only two warning posters and not marking out the designated flying area.

Verdict: accidental death.