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Diving Facts
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MIN DEPTH:
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9 metres
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MAX DEPTH:
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14 metres
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LOCATION:
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Near the Crushing Works
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BEST BITS:
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- Aircraft cockpit
- Tail section aviation racks
- Fish inside the tail section
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HAZARDS:
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- Loss of visibility
- Overhead environment
- Protruding metal
- Entanglement
- Depth
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The tail section dominates the 12 metre plateau and is difficult to miss!
All three sections of the aircraft allow for easy penetration but take care...
Be prepared for quite an impressive sight as you approach the tail section...
The centre section of the aircraft still has the undercarraige wheels in place...
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Finning past the Crushing Works at a depth of 12m, you could be forgiven for questioning your eyesight as a most unexpected sight comes into view. Lying in three sections in a line, you'll find the wreck of a Hawker Siddley HS-748 aircraft.
Donated by Exeter Airport, the HS-748 (designation G-AVXJ) was a 58-seat twin prop aircraft that served with the Civil Aviation Authority carring out flight calibration work until the late 1990s. Taking its place in the lake with the invaluable assistance of the Royal Engineers of the British Army, the aircraft is now split into three sections near the Crushing Works at a depth of just 12m.
The aircraft wreck offers divers of all experience levels an exciting diving opportunity that's not to be missed. Even if you're not a big fan of sunken metal, the tail section nearest the Crushing Works is not to be missed due to its popularity with the local fish population - it's often so filled with fish that it's difficult to see past them!
For visitors to the 9 and 6 metre training platforms, the front section of the aircraft provides a pleasant and interesting detour for trainee and visiting divers alike. Don't forget to have a quick peek into the cockpit and you'll see many of the aircraft's controls still in place!
For those with overhead training, all sections of the wreck provide considerable potential for penetration - you can swim through all three sections of the fuselage exploring the banks of aviation equipment still in position. In particular, watch out for the cockpit which still has many of its flight controls. And, of course, don't forget to visit the crew toilet with latrine still in place - just in case you do happen to get caught short during your dive...
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SAFETY FIRST: All three sections of the aircraft can be penetrated safely but we advise any diver not comfortable with comfined spaces to stay outside and peer in through the holes!
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