What happened
On 27 August 2024, a Piper PA-18-150, registration G-CUBX, was performing a private solo flight from Croft Farm Airstrip (Defford Airfield) in Worcester. During the takeoff roll on Runway 28, CCTV footage captured the aircraft swinging to the left before the pilot managed to re-align it with the runway.
Shortly after becoming airborne, the aircraft entered a left turn, deviating from the runway centerline toward obstacles located to the south. Witnesses observed the aircraft adopt a steep nose-up attitude, but it failed to clear a tree in its path. The aircraft struck the tree at the peak of its flight path before descending in a steep, nose-first attitude into the ground. The impact resulted in one fatality for the pilot, and the aircraft was destroyed by the collision and a subsequent post-impact fire.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the wreckage, engine, and flight data from a navigation app. The investigation found that the engine was under power at the moment of impact, as evidenced by the twisted propeller blade. While the aircraft had recently undergone significant repairs and modifications, including an Alaskan Bush fit, no pre-existing mechanical faults were identified in the flight controls or engine components.
Investigators noted that the pilot had experienced difficulty starting the engine earlier that morning, which may have involved frequent cranking attempts. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's performance characteristics, noting that the takeoff speed was approximately 34 kt.
Findings
- The aircraft's takeoff speed was relatively low, which likely resulted in the pilot having insufficient aerodynamic control authority to correct the leftward heading divergence.
- The aircraft's position in a turn, rather than flying wings level, compromised its ability to climb effectively.
- The loss of ground effect as the aircraft climbed above 11 meters further reduced its performance.
- There was no evidence of any mechanical failure or pre-accident fault with the aircraft's systems.