What happened
On 22 April 2015, a McKenzie Edge 360, registration G-EDGJ, was performing aerobatic manoeuvres at Old Buckenham Airfield in Norfolk. The pilot, an experienced competitor, was conducting a series of manoeuvres during a press day for an upcoming airshow. The sequence included vertical climbs, aileron rolls, and a controlled spin.
Following a successful recovery from a spin, the pilot initiated a 'quarter-clover' manoeuvre that transitioned into a gyroscopic tumbling manoeuvre. During this final element, the aircraft lost significant energy and entered an erect spin. The aircraft descended through a low altitude and struck the ground approximately 150 metres from the runway threshold. The impact resulted in one fatality and the total destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
AAIB investigators examined the wreckage and recovered video footage from a camcorder mounted on the aircraft's wingtip. The technical examination of G-EDGJ found no evidence of mechanical failure or control restrictions. While the rudder cable failed during the crash, investigators determined this was due to the forces of impact rather than a pre-existing defect.
Analysis of the video footage revealed that the aircraft was flying at a much lower height and speed than the pilot's typical performance standards. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's recent flying history, noting a lack of recent aerobatic practice following a period of limited flying during the winter months. Furthermore, a post-mortem examination identified a serious, previously undiagnosed heart condition involving a blood clot in a coronary artery.
Findings
- The aircraft entered a spin due to inappropriate control inputs that also prevented recovery.
- The manoeuvre was performed at a lower height and speed than usual, leaving almost no margin for error.
- The use of an improvised aerobatic sequence contributed to the loss of energy and the failure of the tumble manoeuvre.
- A significant medical factor was the presence of an undiagnosed coronary artery thrombosis, which may have caused incapacitating symptoms or impaired the pilot's judgement during the high-workload phase of the flight.