What happened
On 23 July 2015, a Pegasus Qu-ik microlight, registration G-XJJM, was involved in an accident during a solo training flight. The student pilot, who was training for a National Private Pilot’s Licence at Manchester (Barton) Aerodrome, had completed an initial 15-minute dual flight with an instructor before being cleared to perform one hour of solo maneuvers. The flight objectives included practicing basic handling, such as climbs, descents, and turns, within a specific training area bounded by the M6, M61, and M62 motorways.
During the second solo sortie, the aircraft deviated significantly from the instructor's briefing. While the pilot was instructed to maintain specific altitudes—including a 1,200 ft limit west of the Glaze Brook—GPS data revealed the aircraft climbed to 5,000 ft agl and entered the Manchester TMA. The aircraft later descended to very low levels, flying between 100 ft and 650 ft agl, and entered Class D airspace.
As the aircraft moved south along Sankey Brook, it struck a 132 KV electrical transmission cable. The collision caused the aircraft to crash into a field near Hall Lane Farm in Burtonwood. The pilot sustained serious injuries, including a broken spine, ankle, hip, sternum, and eye socket.
The investigation
The AAIB examined GPS track files from the aircraft's Garmin 296 unit, which recorded the 36-minute flight duration and the unauthorized altitude changes. Investigators also reviewed witness testimony and video footage. A local resident captured video of the microlight maneuvering near residential areas in Newton-le-Willows. This footage showed the aircraft flying approximately 75 m from the observer, shortly before the impact occurred.
Engineers inspected the damaged electrical infrastructure and determined that the aircraft first hit the top phase conductor, located 25 m above the ground, before passing between the top phase and the earth conductor, which was 30 m above the ground. The aircraft struck the cable mid-span between two pylons.
Findings
- The aircraft struck an electrical transmission cable at a low altitude.
- The student pilot had deviated from the prescribed training area and altitude limits, flying into controlled airspace and much higher than authorized.
- The pilot experienced post-traumatic amnesia and could not recall the events leading to the collision.
- The aircraft was destroyed in the crash and was not available for physical examination.