What happened
On 19 April 2021, a Brian Taylor AT6 model aircraft was being operated during a private flight at a model flying club near Fradley, Lichfield. The aircraft, a 1:5 scale replica of the North American T-6 Texan, was performing several circuits of the airfield when the pilot experienced a total loss of communication with the model. Following the signal loss, the aircraft continued on a north-easterly course at approximately half throttle, maintaining a steady, level flight path. The flight ended when the aircraft struck the side of a curtain-sided lorry trailer parked at a nearby distribution centre. The impact resulted in the aircraft being destroyed, though the engine was observed to continue running after the collision.
The investigation
The investigation focused on determining why the link between the pilot and the aircraft was severed. Prior to the flight, the pilot had verified the battery voltage and checked the functionality of the aircraft's systems. Following the accident, the pilot and club members inspected the model but were unable to find any mechanical or electrical faults that would account for the signal failure.
Investigators also looked into the possibility of external interference. The pilot suggested that 2.4 GHz jamming devices, potentially used by companies at the distribution centre to restrict mobile phone usage, might have caused the disruption. However, the investigation confirmed that no such jamming equipment was in operation at the site.