Today, Emiliano Sala, the man being tried for organizing the flight that crashed into England Channel killing footballer Emiliano Salinas, was accused of running a “cowboy outfit”.

David Henderson, 67, of the East Riding of Yorkshire has been charged with endangering safety of an airplane.

It happened after a plane carrying David Ibbotson, a 28-year-old pilot and striker, crashed into the sea near Guernsey in the evening of 21 January 2019.

According to the prosecution, Henderson was negligent and reckless in allowing Mr Ibbotson fly because he wasn’t qualified to fly at night and didn’t have a commercial pilots’ licence.

Henderson admitted that he knew Mr Ibbotson had a private pilot’s license (PPL). However, he told Civil Aviation Authority investigators and police that he didn’t know the pilot had a certificate to fly after darkness.

However, text messages between Henderson and Mr Ibbotson over the months leading up the crash show that they discussed the pilot’s lack in night-time flying qualifications. Henderson encourages Henderson not to wait to’make it formal’.

David Henderson, 67, outside court this week is on trial over the deadly plane crash

David Henderson, 67, is in court this week to face charges over the fatal plane crash

Emiliano Sala, pictured, was onboard the chartered aircraft flown by Mr Ibbotson when it crashed into the English Channel while he was being transported from his former club Nantes to Cardiff, where he had just signed a multi-million-pound deal

Emiliano Sala was pictured on board the chartered aircraft flown and crashed into the English Channel by Mr Ibbotson as he was being transferred from his former club Nantes to Cardiff. He had just signed a multimillion-pound deal.

Henderson said that he did not keep information on his pilots’ qualifications. However, he told the court that he trusted them, Mr Ibbotson included, to fly safely and within their capabilities.

He claimed that he didn’t tell William McKay (a football agent) that Mr Ibbotson wasn’t qualified to fly Sala from Nantes because he was confident that he was an experienced pilot who was keen, enthusiastic, and wanted to fly’.

Martin Goudie QC, the prosecutor, stated: “What kinda cowboy outfit were y’all wearing at this time? You didn’t know if your pilot had any ratings?”

Further cross-examination at Cardiff Crown Court was conducted on Friday by Henderson, a father of four and former RAF officer. He admitted that he was concerned about his business being investigated after Mr Ibbotson had committed a number airspace violations in the months preceding the crash.

Cardiff Crown Court heard David Ibbotson, right, had been banned from flying the aircraft by its owner Fay Keely had been notified by the Civil Aviation Authority that he had previously infringed two aviation rules while in the air

Cardiff Crown Court heard David Ibbotson, right, had been banned from flying the aircraft by its owner Fay Keely had been notified by the Civil Aviation Authority that he had previously infringed two aviation rules while in the air

The qualified pilot said he was asked to fly the plane himself after receiving a phone call from football agent Willie McKay

After Willie McKay called, the qualified pilot said that he was asked to fly it himself.

Henderson wrote to Mr Ibbotson that he had an opportunity to make money from the business model, but not if he upset clients or draws the attention of the CAA.

Mr Goudie stated that he didn’t want anyone looking into your operations because you knew that they were illegal.

Henderson replied: “There’s probably some element thereof, yes.”

Jurors have been told that Henderson sent messages to David Smith after the crash, telling him to ‘keep very silent’ and adding that he needed to be’very careful’. It opens up a whole lot of doors.

Mr Goudie stated that he knew why you said that because Mr Ibbotson shouldn’t have been on that flight. This is a cover-up for this text message.

Henderson stated to the court that he was concerned about incorrect information being leaked into the press and said: “I wasn’t covering up.”

The jury also looked at text messages Henderson sent Fay Keely, who was the plane’s operator, and other texts that were sent to him.

Mr Goudie also directed that the jury examine the call logs showing Henderson’s calls after hearing about this crash. These included Mr Smith and Mr McKay as well as Ms Keely.

He stated, “You made no contact Nora Ibbotson. She is the next of kin to the pilot.”

Henderson replied, “It wouldn’t be normal for me contact the next-of-kin.”

Henderson admitted operating the plane but maintained that he was the pilot.

The trial continues.