What happened
On 6 July 2018, a Quik GT450, registration G-CGSO, was conducting a training flight near Moss Edge Farm, Cockerham, Lancashire. The flight was part of a conversion program for a student pilot transitioning from fixed-wing aircraft to flex-wing operations.
Following two successful touch-and-go landings, the student pilot began an approach to Moss Edge Farm Airfield. During the short final phase, the aircraft drifted toward a field of barley. In an attempt to execute a go-around, the student applied full power and instinctively pulled back on the control bar. This action caused the aircraft to descend rapidly, resulting in a heavy impact within the barley field where the aircraft eventually came to rest on its side. The accident resulted in one serious and one minor injury, specifically a broken arm sustained by the student pilot.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the circumstances of the flight and the specific handling characteristics of the aircraft. The investigation focused on the transition process from fixed-wing to flex-wing aircraft, noting the fundamental differences in control logic. The investigators reviewed the flight path and the sequence of pilot inputs during the aborted approach.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the student pilot applying a rearward control input during the go-around, which is the opposite of the required action for this aircraft type.
- Converting from fixed-wing to flex-wing aircraft involves a reversal of pitch and roll inputs; specifically, a climb is initiated by pushing the control bar forward rather than pulling it.
- Because the go-around was initiated at a low altitude, there was inadequate time for the instructor to intervene and correct the erroneous input.