What happened
On 27 October 2025, a Jodel D18 with registration G-BODT departed Portmoak Airfield in Kinross for a local private flight. During the takeoff roll from Runway 28R, the aircraft deviated sharply to the right. Although it continued to accelerate and became airborne, it failed to realign with the runway heading. Instead, the aircraft rolled further into a right bank while descending. Approximately six seconds after leaving the ground, the right wingtip struck the ground in a field north of the runway, followed by the nose. The impact destroyed the aircraft and resulted in 1 fatal injury to the pilot.
The investigation
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) examined the wreckage, which was found approximately 95 meters from the runway edge. Ground marks indicated that the propeller was rotating at high power during the impact. Engineers inspected the engine and control systems, finding no physical restrictions or mechanical defects that would have prevented normal operation. The throttle was found fully open, and continuity between the pilot's controls and the flight surfaces was established. CCTV footage from a nearby building confirmed the sharp right yaw during the ground roll and the subsequent uncontrolled right roll after takeoff.
Findings
The investigation determined that no technical failure caused the accident. The observed flight profile was inconsistent with the handling expected of an experienced pilot operating this type of aircraft, particularly given that a clockwise-rotating propeller typically induces a left yaw tendency rather than the right yaw observed. While the post-mortem examination did not identify a definitive medical cause, the pathologist noted the pilot's history of heart disease and suggested the possibility of a cardiac arrhythmia. The AAIB concluded that it is possible the pilot suffered a partial or complete incapacitation during the critical takeoff phase, preventing them from correcting the aircraft's attitude.