What happened
On 26 February 2019, a Pegasus Quantum 582, registration G-MZDE, was conducting a private flight to revalidate its permit. The flight departed from Kenyon Hall Farm airstrip in Warrington. During the initial climb, approximately 200 feet above the runway, the pilot noted a change in the engine note accompanied by a loss of power. In an attempt to restore performance, the pilot adjusted the throttle and manipulated the control bar to maintain airspeed.
Believing there was sufficient altitude to return to the airfield, the pilot attempted a turn back toward the runway. During this maneuver, the aircraft's wheel struck the upper branches of tall trees, causing the trike to pitch downward sharply. The aircraft then struck the ground with significant force, causing the trike to pitch forward and come to an abrupt halt. While the pilot escaped without injury, the single passenger sustained a serious injury, specifically a fractured ankle.
The investigation
The investigation examined the engine's performance following the incident. The pilot conducted several cycles of engine start-ups, warm-ups, and maximum RPM testing; however, the engine functioned normally during all four tests, leaving the specific cause of the power loss undetermined. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's decision-making during the emergency and noted that the pilot had not recently practiced forced landing procedures.