Accident Overview
On 4 April 2015, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, registration G-BHXK, crashed on the western slope of Beinn nan Lus near Loch Etive, Oban, Argyll and Bute. The aircraft was destroyed and both the pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The accident occurred at approximately 1030 UTC.
Flight History
The flight departed Dundee Airport at 0938 hrs, destined for Tiree Airport. The aircraft climbed to 6,500 ft and contacted Scottish Information. At 1027 hrs, the pilot acknowledged a Tiree METAR reporting mist and low cloud. Shortly after, at 10:28:28 hrs, the aircraft began a gentle right turn while maintaining altitude. After about 40 seconds, the turn rate increased and the aircraft entered a tightening right turn with a high rate of descent and increasing airspeed. Recorded data became unreliable due to extreme attitudes. The aircraft likely entered instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) during the descent. Impact occurred at high speed on a westerly heading, with a dive angle of approximately 45° relative to the local slope.
Weather Conditions
Earlier that morning, a warm front over the west coast of Scotland prompted several other pilots to avoid flying west from Dundee. The pilot's wife texted a relative in Tiree, who reported misty conditions; the pilot had stated the weather would clear by 1100 hrs. The commercial aircraft inbound to Tiree elected not to proceed due to the weather. The search and rescue helicopter deployed from Prestwick could not reach the accident site due to low cloud; it later ascended to 4,000 ft, where it was in visual meteorological conditions (VMC) above a stratus layer with cumulus breaking through.
Pilot Information
The pilot, aged 28, held a Private Pilot's Licence issued on 10 June 2014. He had approximately 150 total flying hours, with 100 hours on type. He completed an IMC rating on 31 January 2015 and a Night Rating on 27 March 2015, though these endorsements had not yet been submitted to the CAA. His instructor reported above-average ability during IMC training, which included recovery from unusual attitudes. The pilot had previously demonstrated responsible weather decision-making by delaying a return flight from Tiree when conditions deteriorated.
Aircraft Information
G-BHXK was a 1965 Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee (serial no. 28-21106) powered by a Lycoming O-320-E2A engine. The engine had been modified to produce 160 hp. The aircraft had accumulated over 8,700 flight hours. The most recent annual inspection was on 2 December 2014, and an Airworthiness Review Certificate was valid until 7 July 2015. The pilot had flown the aircraft on at least 12 days between November 2014 and February 2015.
Accident Site Details
The crash site was on the western flank of Beinn nan Lus at approximately 500 m amsl. The impact track was about 265° magnetic. The terrain consisted of grass-covered boggy earth with rock outcrops, sloping about 20° along the impact path. The aircraft impacted with a dive angle of 45°, and the wreckage was largely crushed over a short distance. The engine penetrated the ground, and cockpit debris was scattered downhill. The empennage sustained the least damage and rested on top of the main wreckage.