What happened
On 4 August 2020, a Rans S6-116 Coyote II, registration G-BUWK, departed from Bradley’s Lawn airstrip in East Sussex for a planned flight to Popham Airfield. The pilot, an experienced aviator with over 6,000 flying hours, had intended to meet a partner in the air. Witnesses at the airfield reported that the initial takeoff appeared normal, with the aircraft climbing steadily. However, shortly after the aircraft passed behind a line of trees, witnesses observed a sudden loss of control characterized by a spinning motion and a steep, spiral descent. The aircraft struck the ground in a near-vertical attitude, leading to a massive post-impact fire that completely destroyed the airframe. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the wreckage and recovered several electronic flight instruments, including tablets and a Dynon Avion ics D1 system, though fire damage prevented data recovery. ADS-B Out broadcasts from the aircraft provided a flight track, showing a normal climb rate of approximately 1,000 ft/min followed by a descent. An examination of the Rotax 912-UL engine and the aircraft's airframe revealed no evidence of pre-existing mechanical failure or structural defects. While one witness reported hearing a rough-running engine, the recorded flight data and engine strip examination did not support an engine malfunction. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's fuel tanks were likely near capacity at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control in flight shortly after departure.
- Post-mortem examination of the pilot revealed moderate coronary artery atheroma and a history of hypertension.
- The pathologist concluded that the pilot likely suffered a cardiac event resulting in incapacitation shortly after takeoff.
- Evidence from the post-mortem, including the absence of soot in the airways, indicated the pilot was likely deceased before the post-impact fire began.