British South American Airways flight G-AGWH Star Dust famously disappeared above the Andes in August 1947, after radio operator Dennis Harmer repeated the mysterious coded message 'STENDEC'. Nobody knew what became of the plane, its crew of five and six passengers until 2000, when a sighting by two climbers two years earlier lead to the discovery of the wreckage.

Jay Rayner tells the fascinating story of Star Dust's fate, as well as the history and rapid demise of the BSAA airline and the eccentric war hero, Don Bennett, who ran the whole operation - well, into the ground. There are few definitive answers given - investigators can surmise that the Star Dust crashed as a result of a 'CFIT', or controlled flight into terrain, but not why. And 'STENDEC' remains an eternal mystery. But the whole unravelling of the tale is a readable blend of history, science and legend. I just wish the BBC would repeat the Horizon documentary on the Star Dust now! ( )