History of the Flight
The pilot, aged 77, held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated 18,383 flying hours, with 900 hours on type. The flight was to conduct aerial photography with a passenger who was a professional photographer. The aircraft, a Cessna 152 (G-UFCO), departed Newtownards Airport at approximately 1047 hrs on 19 April 2018. The pilot coordinated with Belfast City and Belfast International ATC, reporting a photographic flight near Nutts Corner and Loanends. The aircraft flew at altitudes between 350 ft and 600 ft agl, making clockwise turns at bank angles up to 30° at an estimated airspeed of 60 kt TAS. At 1117 hrs, the pilot requested a radio check; this was the last communication. Radar showed the aircraft maintaining 900 ft amsl (400 ft agl) while turning right. At 1118:44 hrs, the turn rate increased to an estimated bank angle of 45°, then reduced to 20°. The final radar point at 1119:03 hrs recorded an altitude of 810 ft ±50 ft (260 ft ±50 ft agl). Witnesses observed the aircraft circling normally before it suddenly nose-dived. Two witnesses heard the engine spluttering before the aircraft struck the ground. A post-crash fire ensued, and neither occupant survived.
Aircraft Information
G-UFCO was a 1978 Cessna 152, a two-seat, high-wing monoplane with a Lycoming O-235-L2C piston engine. It had a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate and had accumulated 3,021 airframe hours. The last 50-hour check was on 27 March 2018 with no significant defects. The aircraft was equipped with a carburettor heating system, conventional flying controls, trailing-edge flaps, and a stall warning system that activated 5–10 kt before stall speed.
Accident Site and Wreckage Examination
The accident site was in a field 4 nm southeast of Belfast International Airport. The aircraft passed through 30 ft tall trees, leaving a one-metre section of the right wing in the trees. Ground impact marks indicated a steep nose-down attitude. The wreckage was compact; the tail section separated, the right wing bent rearward, and a post-crash fire destroyed the cockpit and inboard right wing. The left flap was displaced by approximately 5°; the right flap position could not be measured due to fire damage.
Engine and Systems Examination
The engine was fire-damaged on some rear ancillaries but otherwise in good condition. Disassembly and inspection revealed no defects. The carburettor throttle valve was found at a position corresponding to approximately 1,800 rpm, which would produce 35% of maximum power. The carburettor heat valve was found in the fully cold position. The position of cockpit controls could not be determined due to fire damage.
Probable Cause
No probable cause was stated in the investigation report.