Champion Jockey Frankie Dettori Opens Up on Devastating Plane Crash

The Moment of Impact

Champion jockey Frankie Dettori has shared the harrowing story of the plane crash he survived in 2000. Taking off with former jockey Ray Cochrane and pilot Patrick Mackey, the aircraft burst into flames moments later and plummeted towards the ground.

“I didn’t have time to scream… I was just disappointed that I was going to die,” Dettori recalls. The impact was catastrophic, with the wing clipping a bank and leaving the plane in shambles.

Frozen in Fear, Rescue from the Wreckage

Dettori, suffering from a broken ankle and injured hand, found himself paralyzed and unable to move. It was Cochrane’s desperate nudge that jolted him back to consciousness. However, trapped in a mangled wreckage with no visible escape, panic set in.

“I realized then that I had broken my leg… the door did not exist anymore,” Dettori says. Desperate, he crawled through a partially open luggage door, followed by Cochrane. As they made their escape, Cochrane heroically attempted to return for the pilot, but a massive explosion prevented him.

Aftermath and Trauma

The investigation revealed that one of the propellers had struck the ground on takeoff, causing the catastrophic crash. Dettori, deeply affected by the loss of Mackey, was left scarred both physically and emotionally.

“It was a trauma for me,” he confesses. “It took me 17 years to get back on a plane.” The incident had a profound impact on his life, leaving an enduring legacy of fear and sorrow.

Overcoming the Shadows of the Past

Despite the challenges, Dettori has shown remarkable resilience. He gradually worked through his trauma and returned to the saddle, continuing to excel as one of the greatest jockeys of all time.

In sharing his harrowing experience, Dettori hopes to raise awareness of the potential dangers and importance of safety in aviation. His story is a testament to the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.