What happened
On 30 January 2025, a Beagle B121 Series 1 Pup, registration G-AXOZ, was performing practice touch-and-go circuits at Bagby Airfield in North Yorkshire. The pilot, conducting a skills refresher, had noted sun dazzle during the initial circuit. While attempting a touch-and-go on Runway 24 following a second circuit, the aircraft drifted away from the runway centerline. During the flare, the aircraft struck a hedge located to the right of the touchdown zone. The impact caused the aircraft to veer into a muddy field, where it came to a stop. The pilot sustained no injuries, though the aircraft suffered damage to its wing structure, landing gear, fuselage skin, and side panels.
The investigation
The investigation examined the environmental conditions and the pilot's decision-making process. At the time of the accident, winds were recorded at 330° at 10 to 15 knots, creating a significant 90° crosswind component for the chosen runway. The pilot had the option to use Runway 06, which would have avoided the low sun, but opted for Runway 24 despite having already observed sun dazzle earlier in the flight. The investigation also looked into the pilot's recent flying history, noting a period of low flight activity prior to the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was low sun dazzle, which led to the pilot losing sight of the runway centerline and misidentifying the touchdown aiming point.
- The pilot failed to initiate a go-around despite the deteriorating visibility caused by the sun.
- A determination to complete a specific number of landings to meet currency requirements may have influenced the decision to continue the approach.
- The choice of runway contributed to the risk, as the pilot proceeded with an approach that exposed the flight to known glare issues.