What happened
On 19 April 2019, a Luscombe 8A Silvaire, registration G-AKVP, was performing a private flight departing from Baxterley Aerodrome in Warwickshire. The flight was intended to proceed to Old Warden Airfield in Bedfordshire. The weather conditions were favorable, with good visibility and light winds.
During the takeoff from Runway 25, the aircraft accelerated normally and became airborne. However, as the aircraft climbed at a shallow angle, it drifted to the left of the intended runway centerline toward a line of trees. The pilot observed a tree situated near a gap in the treeline and attempted to bank the aircraft to the right to maintain clearance. Despite an initial right bank and a subsequent increase in bank angle, the left wingtip made contact with the upper branches of the tree. This impact triggered a right-hand spin, causing the aircraft to strike the ground heavily in a field adjacent to the aerodrome. The impact resulted in the destruction of the aircraft, though the pilot escaped without serious injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the takeoff performance and the pilot's maneuvers to avoid the obstacle. It was noted that the pilot had significant experience on this aircraft type. The investigation looked into the aircraft's position on the runway, noting it was lined up approximately 50 m north-east of the runway start. The analysis considered the impact of the wind and the aircraft's climb gradient relative to the trees at the end of the runway.