What happened
On 31 July 2024, a Chaser S 508, registration G-MVGG, departed from Fishfield Airfield for a local private flight. The pilot had completed all necessary pre-takeoff procedures, including a verification that the Rotax 508 engine could reach full power.
Shortly after takeoff, while the aircraft was at an altitude of approximately 300 ft aal, the engine began misfiring and subsequently lost power. To avoid an electricity pylon situated directly in the flight path, the pilot executed a left turn toward a nearby field to perform an emergency landing. During the maneuver, the aircraft's altitude decreased, making it difficult to clear a line of trees. While attempting to navigate through a small gap in the treeline, the right wing struck a tree, causing the aircraft to crash. The pilot sustained one serious injury (a broken wrist). Emergency services were alerted by the pilot's smartwatch, which detected the impact.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of events leading from the engine misfire to the impact with the trees. The aircraft, which was manufactured in 1988, sustained damage beyond economic repair.