Saxophonist, 36, who performed on BBC Proms was killed along with her composer husband, 50, and their six-month-old daughter when their light aircraft crashed into the Alps at ‘almost flat’ altitude, court told

A saxophonist performing at the BBC Proms died along with her musician husband and their six-month-old daughter when their plane crashed into the Alps at a “nearly flat” altitude, an inquest has heard.

Jonathan Goldstein, 50, was piloting the plane when it crashed into the northwest slope of the Hubschhorn mountain in Switzerland, investigators said.

Unfortunately, his 36-year-old wife Hannah and their daughter Saskia were also on the plane as it flew through the Alps at 2,200 feet below the recommended altitude.

Ms Goldstein, who has performed at the Royal Albert Hall and often appeared at BBC Proms during her career, had flown out from North Weald Airfield in Essex with her family the day before.

Her composer husband, Prince Charming, who received his pilot’s license in 2012, first flew across the English Channel in 2017 and had only flown over the Alps once before the 2019 crash.

Assistant Coroner David Manknell found that the family’s tragic deaths were due to the pilot’s lack of training and experience.

South Inner London Coroner’s Court heard how the family flew on a single-engine Piper PA-28 Cherokee Arrow plane, stopping in Troyes, France, and Lausanne, Switzerland, before flying to Italy.

As the investigation learned, pilot Goldstein had flown a total of 365 hours by August 4, 2019.

It took off from Lausanne at 9:43 a.m. and was flying at 4,100 feet at 120 knots.

At 10:23 he turned right towards the Simplon Pass, and two minutes later witnesses saw the plane crash into the north wall of the Hubschhorn mountain.

The plane crashed into the ground at an almost level altitude and burst into flames.

Mr. Goldstein flew through the Alps at 2,200 feet below the recommended altitude, but investigations were unable to determine the cause.

As reported in the investigation, the day was clear, sunny, visibility was 70 km or more, the wind reached eight knots.

Deputy Coroner Mr Manknell said: “He had limited experience of mountain flying and had never received any adequate training.

“I believe that a lack of training and experience in mountain flying contributed to the crash.

“Overall, I believe the cause of the stall was an accident in which the pilot lost control at low altitude.”

He added that “a lack of anticipation caused the stoppage, which caused the crash.”

Mr Manknell said: “It seems to me that I cannot accept that this was extremely careless and therefore criminal.

“There is no evidence that there is such a deviation from what is expected.

“Having looked at this very carefully, I cannot come to the conclusion of unlawful killing.

“I also reviewed the summary report… of the plane crash.

“I don’t think it’s enough to say it was a plane crash.”

Following the three deaths, Mr Munnell said he would write a recommendation to the Civil Aviation Authority that those holding PPL(A) pilot licenses receive the necessary training to fly over the mountains.

He added: “In my opinion, I have concerns that deaths may occur in the future and that action should be taken to prevent future deaths.”

“Jonathan’s training was not suitable for mountain flying.

“It seems to me that this is quite possible to repeat. Therefore, I am making a recommendation to the CAA and asking them to consider it.

“The recommendation will make clear that the PPL is less than what is required in at least one other country.‘

During the investigation, Mrs. Goldstein’s father, Leszek Marcinovich, read a touching poem about his daughter.

The grieving father told the inquest: “Hannah was born in London on May 15, 1983.

“She was an amazing blonde and a happy, smiling baby.

“Hannah was a bossy little girl and fiercely protective of her brother Adam.

“She was a very smart child and musical from an early age. Music was Hannah’s all-consuming passion.

“She was always eager to keep learning and keep practicing her technique. Above all, Hannah was an artist.

“She put so much energy into everything she did, even teaching.

“Hannah’s performing life has had many highlights: performing at the Proms in 2005, and another highlight was the concert she gave at King’s Place in London in 2017.

“Hannah certainly had to kiss a lot of frogs before she met her prince charming, Jonathan.

“They met in a recording studio and worked on projects together. It took Hannah and Jonathan a long time to find each other.”

Mr Marcinovich added: “Although Hannah’s main passion was music, she was also a good tennis player and always enjoyed a glass of rosé at the club afterwards.

“I remember her wonderful laugh, as well as the fact that she never took no for an answer.

“If a restaurant said it was fully booked, she would always say, ‘Are you sure you can’t squeeze us in?’ and inevitably they did.

“She was so full of energy and happiness and was such a genuine pleasure to be around.

“It’s no wonder Saskia was such a happy child.

“Hannah was a calm mother. Always an optimist, when faced with a dreary, gray day, wearing color was “much more cheerful,” she said.

“For Hannah’s 30th birthday, I invited her to a sprint triathlon without telling her.

“She finished the event with a big smile on her face, having raised a significant amount of money in the process (…).

“We are so proud of Hannah and everything she has achieved, both musically and personally, and we admire her determination to never give up.

“She and Jonathan had only been together for a short time before tragedy struck. Hannah and Jonathan were a wonderful partnership.

“On February 2, 2019, they received the most valuable gift – a beautiful girl, Saskia.

“She was an adorable child, full of smiles and went everywhere with them.

“Hannah was a wonderful mother to Saskia and loved sharing new experiences with her every day. The tragedy truly ended three lives that had so much to offer the world.

“Her premature death deprived audiences around the world of a wonderful performer.

“Hannah’s family, friends, professional colleagues and the world of classical music have lost an amazingly talented and beautiful person.

“Our lives have changed forever, and I would like people to remember that.”

Mr. Goldstein contributed to the soundtrack to Martin Scorsese’s “Cape Fear” as well as re-recordings of acclaimed scores such as the director’s classic film “Taxi Driver.”

As the founder of Goldstein Music Group, he has worked on music for high-profile advertising campaigns involving dozens of international brands, including American Express, Lexus and Sony.

Ms. Goldstein, who performed under her maiden name Hannah Marcinowicz, has played with some of Britain’s leading orchestras, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Northern Symphony.

The investigation is ongoing.