What happened
On 7 July 2018, a modified Denney Kitfox MK4, registration G-CJLM, was performing a private flight at Stoke Golding Airfield near Nuneaton. The pilot intended to complete a single circuit of the airfield following departure from Runway 26. Conditions at the time involved winds varying between 260° and 290° at speeds below 10 knots.
The takeoff roll proceeded normally initially, with the aircraft's tail lifting as expected. However, after covering roughly 190 metres, the aircraft suddenly drifted toward the right. The pilot was unable to provide sufficient rudder input to counteract this movement before the aircraft departed the runway surface. As the aircraft veered, the left landing gear leg collapsed due to the forces applied during the turn. This impact caused damage to the propeller, engine, engine cowls, exhaust, left wing, and the left landing gear itself. There were no injuries to the pilot or the single passenger on board.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of the takeoff roll and the mechanical response of the aircraft. The investigation established that the pilot had 215 total flying hours, though only 7 of those hours were accumulated on this specific aircraft type. The investigation focused on the sudden deviation from the runway centerline and the subsequent structural failure of the landing gear leg.