AN RAF doctor faces being struck off for writing “misleading” medical examination reports after assessing an Abingdon pilot who later died in a plane crash with a teenage passenger.

Dr Douglas Wyper, who was based at RAF Benson, assessed Flt Lt Mike Blee as fit to fly in 2005 after noting the retired RAF officer’s long-standing back condition.

But in following annual health assessments he said Flt Lt Blee had a “normal spine”.

Flt Lt Blee, 62, and air cadet Nicholas Rice, 15, died when their light aircraft hit a glider in Drayton in June 2009.

A coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death in 2012 after hearing a slight jolt could have broken the pilot’s spine, sparking an investigation by the General Medical Council.

Following a tribunal, the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service panel yesterday found Dr Wyper’s behaviour amounted to serious misconduct and ruled his fitness to practise was impaired as a result.

Panel chairman David Flinter said: “On the evidence available to the panel, it cannot be concluded that Dr Wyper adequately assessed (Flt Lt Blee’s) conditions.”

He added: “The panel is of the view that Dr Wyper had a blatant disregard for the importance of the information on the forms, and the potential consequences of the misleading information he thereby provided, for both (Flt Lt Blee) and public safety at large.”

Dr Wyper now faces sanctions on his registration, which could include conditions, suspension, or being struck off the medical register.

The allegations relate to four medical examinations between 2005 and 2008.

None of the charges relate directly to the accident and it is not alleged that any of Dr Wyper’s actions caused or contributed to the deaths.

The hearing is expected to conclude today.