What happened
On 30 September 2023, a Pegasus Quik, registration G-CDCF, was conducting a training flight at Northrepps Airfield in Norfolk. The flight involved a student pilot and an instructor. The weather conditions were clear with good visibility, though the grass runway was wet.
As the aircraft accelerated down the runway, the student pilot applied takeoff power using the right-foot throttle. Once the aircraft reached approximately 45 mph, it began to veer toward the right. Both the student and the instructor attempted to correct the direction using their respective steering bars, but these efforts failed to maintain the aircraft's path. The aircraft subsequently left the runway edge, with the main wheels skidding on the wet grass. The left undercarriage collapsed as the aircraft entered longer grass, causing the airframe to overturn onto its side. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the engine and airframe, and caused one serious injury to the instructor, who suffered a broken wrist.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the conflicting accounts regarding the control inputs during the takeoff roll. The instructor suggested that the student may have accidentally pressed the brake pedal, located on the left side of the steering bar, while simultaneously attempting to manage the foot throttle. Conversely, the student maintained that his foot remained clear of the brake pedal throughout the maneuver. Due to a lack of additional data, the investigators were unable to determine which account was accurate or identify the specific cause of the deviation.
Findings
- The takeoff occurred on a wet grass surface, which contributed to the loss of directional control.
- Conflicting accounts of control inputs prevented a definitive identification of the cause of the runway excursion.
- The use of front-seat shoulder straps by both occupants, following recent safety advice, likely mitigated the severity of the instructor's injuries.