Accident Synopsis
On 29 May 2017, a private pilot was flying an Ikarus C42 microlight, registration G-FLYM, with one passenger on a flight in the vicinity of the Mourne Mountains. During the return leg to the airfield, the pilot encountered rising terrain and a lowering cloudbase. Unable to identify a suitable field for an emergency landing, he landed the aircraft into the tops of trees on a hill near Castlewellan, County Down.
Flight History
The pilot had obtained his National Private Pilot’s Licence the previous month, with all training completed on the Ikarus C42 from Kernan microlight site near Tandragee, County Armagh. On the day of the flight, the cloudbase was approximately 1,100 to 1,200 ft above airfield level, visibility was 7 to 10 km, and the wind was light. Before departure, an instructor advised the pilot to stay in the local area. The pilot interpreted this to include up to Newry, about 13 nm south of Kernan, as the cloudbase remained above 1,000 ft.
The pilot took off from Runway 18 and headed south towards Newry and Warren Point. Approaching Warren Point, near sea level, the cloudbase was just above 1,000 ft and remained so as he flew around the south of the Mourne Mountains. On the return via Newcastle, he encountered rising ground, lowering cloud, and reduced visibility in the Castlewellan area. He decided to land in a field, knowing the C42 could land in a short distance, but could not see a suitable field. He then carried out an emergency landing into trees on a hilltop. The accident site was about 1.5 nm north-west of Castlewellan, where the terrain rises to 750 ft amsl.
Pilot Comments
The pilot stated that he was caught out by the rising terrain and lowering cloud, attributing this to his inexperience. He noted that when the instructor advised him to stay in the local area, he considered it safe to fly further as long as the cloudbase remained above 1,000 ft. Another instructor at Kernan indicated that they would interpret 'local area' as about 4 to 5 nm from the airfield.
Damage and Injuries
The aircraft sustained significant damage and was assessed as damaged beyond economic repair. Neither the pilot nor the passenger were injured.