What happened
On 1 August 2015, a Folland Gnat T Mk 1, registration G-TIMM, was participating in a flying display at Oulton Park, Cheshire. The aircraft was performing a series of aerobatic manoeuvres as part of a formation display. During the individual portion of the flight, the pilot was executing a series of aileron rolls along the display line.
While performing a left-hand roll, the aircraft reached a bank angle of 107°. At this point, the nose of the aircraft dropped relative to the horizon. The pilot responded by reversing the roll direction to the right. However, shortly after this correction, the pilot applied a significant pitch input. This movement increased the aircraft's rate of descent and caused it to depart from controlled flight. The aircraft struck trees at a low altitude and crashed approximately one mile north of the airfield, resulting in one fatality.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined the wreckage, flight control systems, and video evidence of the event. Investigators found no evidence of mechanical failure or pre-existing technical issues that would have caused the loss of control. The flight controls appeared to be functioning normally prior to the impact.
Analysis of the pilot's actions indicated that while the initial roll reversal was an appropriate attempt to recover from the nose drop, the subsequent large pitch input was the critical error. This input made the situation irrecoverable given the low altitude. The investigation also looked into the pilot's flying experience, noting a relatively low annual flying rate, and reviewed the display's safety parameters, including the approved display line and the use of local airspace.