Fatal Rans S6-116 Coyote II Accident at Bradley's Lawn Airstrip (G-BUWK)

Incident Overview and Flight History On 4 August 2020, a Rans S6-116 Coyote II, registration G-BUWK, departed from Bradley's Lawn airstrip in East Sussex. The aircraft was a 1993 kit-built model powered by a single Rotax 912-UL piston engine. The 65-year-old pilot, who held a Private Pilot's Licence and had 6,070 hours of experience, was the sole occupant. He had planned to fly to Popham Airfield in Hampshire to meet his partner. Witnesses reported that the takeoff appeared normal, but the aircraft subsequently entered a spiral descent and struck the ground in a grass field approximately 480 meters southwest of the runway threshold. A post-impact fire destroyed the aircraft, and the pilot was found deceased. A post-mortem examination indicated that the pilot likely suffered a cardiac event resulting in incapacitation shortly after takeoff. ## Accident Site and Damage Assessment The aircraft impacted the ground in a near-vertical attitude with its wings level. Deformation of the wings indicated the aircraft was rolling to the right at the time of impact. The rear fuselage separated from the front frame and came to rest inverted. An intense fire consumed the cockpit instruments and most of the fabric coverings. Both fuel tanks were destroyed, though deformation suggested they were near full at impact. The carbon fiber propeller was severely heat-damaged, with both blades broken at the hub. An exploded gas cylinder from a camping stove and the aircraft's fire extinguisher were found in the wreckage, likely accounting for additional bangs heard by witnesses. ## Recorded Data and Aircraft Status The aircraft was equipped with a Mode S and ADS-B Out transponder. While the aircraft was too low for radar detection, ground stations recorded 17 seconds of ADS-B data. This data showed the aircraft climbing at approximately 1,000 ft/min before descending at a similar rate. The last recorded point was about 200 feet above and 130 meters north of the accident site. The aircraft was operated under a Permit to Fly, which was valid until 3 June 2021. The engine, installed in March 2012, had 2,531 operating hours at the time of the accident. Although the manufacturer's recommended overhaul life was 1,500 hours, the Light Aircraft Association did not mandate specific service life limits for this engine type under the Permit to Fly regime.