What happened
On 27 October 1997, a student pilot was conducting a solo cross-country flight for the purpose of qualifying for a Private Pilot's Licence. The flight originated from Hunsdon Airfield, with a planned route toward Headcorn Airfield. The mission involved flying at altitudes between 1,500 and 2,000 feet, though the pilot had been instructed to return to Hunsdon if low cloud became an issue.
After departing Hunsdon at 1032 hrs, the aircraft, a Gemini Flash IIA with registration G-MVEP, followed a planned route south and then east. Shortly before 1058 hrs, the aircraft performed a 180-degree turn. Witnesses on the ground observed a sharp sound and saw the aircraft's wings move toward a vertical position before the aircraft spiralled to the ground. The impact resulted in 1 fatal injury to the pilot, while the aircraft was destroyed.
The investigation
Investigators analyzed data from the aircraft's GPS, which remained functional after the crash. The GPS logs confirmed the flight path and indicated that the aircraft was near the accident site at the time of the final recorded position. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training progress, noting that the pilot had recently achieved solo flight status and was progressing through a microlight course.
Structural examination of the wreckage revealed significant damage to the wing leading edge tubes and the control bar. The investigation also looked into the condition of the engine components and the propeller, which had disintegrated during the event. While some minor component failures, such as a muffler spring fracture, were identified, investigators could not definitively link them to the primary cause of the crash.
Findings
- The aircraft's structural damage was consistent with negative 'g' forces, suggesting the trike assembly dropped into the wing.
- The propeller disintegrated, leaving a trail of debris across 400 metres.
- The pilot was on a solo training flight for a Private Pilot's Licence.
- There was no evidence of pre-existing medical conditions that contributed to the accident.