What happened
On 11 October 2020, a Cessna 150 with registration G-CIIR was involved in a fatal accident at Troutbeck Airfield, Cumbria. The pilot, who had recently obtained his private pilot's licence, had flown from Nottinghamshire via Netherthorpe. Upon arrival at Troutbeck, the airfield owner expressed significant concern regarding the aircraft's suitability for the muddy runway conditions and the lack of prior permission to land.
To mitigate performance risks, the owner instructed the pilot to fly solo to reduce takeoff weight and to use the full length of the runway. During the subsequent takeoff, the aircraft was observed to yaw and roll to the left. Shortly after becoming airborne, the aircraft adopted a high nose-up attitude, leading to a stall. The aircraft then entered a steep descent, striking the ground and causing fatal injuries to the pilot. \n## Findings
The investigation revealed that the aircraft's brakes were likely binding due to the muddy conditions, contributing to the difficulty of the takeoff. The pilot failed to complete the necessary procedures, likely due to the pressure of the situation and the muddy terrain. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's elevator trim was not set for takeoff, which likely contributed to the sudden pitch-up and subsequent stall. Furthermore, the pilot's failure to secure the shoulder harness may have contributed to the severity of the injuries sustained during the impact.