What happened
On 19 April 2018, a Cessna 152, registration G-UFCO, was conducting a private aerial photography flight near Crumlin, County Antrim. The flight, involving the pilot and a professional photographer, involved flying a series of clockwise turns at low altitudes to facilitate property photography from the right-hand seat.
During the final stages of the flight, the aircraft was operating at low altitudes, between 300 and 500 feet above ground level, with an estimated airspeed of approximately 60 kt TAS. Radar data indicates that the aircraft entered a steeper right-hand bank of approximately 45 degrees. During this maneuver, the airspeed dropped below 50 kt TAS. The aircraft subsequently entered a steep descent, passing through trees before striking the ground. A post-crash fire occurred, and both the pilot and the passenger sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the wreckage, the engine, and radar recordings. The investigation confirmed that there was no in-flight structural failure and that the flying controls were intact. The engine was found to be in good condition, with the throttle valve positioned at approximately 35% power, and there was no evidence of carburettor icing.
Analysis of radar data showed a significant reduction in airspeed during the final turns. The investigation also noted that the pilot's recent flight experience was limited, with only five hours flown in the preceding 90 days. Furthermore, the investigation looked into the regulatory requirements for specialised operations, noting that no formal risk assessment for low-level photography had been documented.
Findings
- The aircraft was flying at a low airspeed and bank angle that left a very narrow margin to the stall speed.
- The aerodynamic stall caused a loss of control from which the aircraft could not recover due to the low altitude.
- The pilot may have become desensitised to the stall warning system, as the aircraft's speed was likely near the warning threshold during several turns.
- There was no evidence that a risk assessment had been conducted to mitigate the hazards of low-level flight for photography purposes.