Accident Overview
On 10 October 2018 at 1825 UTC, a Reims Cessna F172N Skyhawk (registration G-BGSV) crashed in a copse near Wilfholme, East Yorkshire, during an approach to Beverley Airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants received fatal injuries.
Flight History
The pilot and passenger had departed Beverley Airfield at 1026 hrs for a day trip to Midlem Airfield, Scotland. After landing at Midlem around 1140 hrs, they returned to the aircraft later in the afternoon. The pilot discovered an unusual engine noise, traced to a detached exhaust pipe, and repaired it with assistance from an LAA Inspector. The aircraft departed Midlem around 1610 hrs, delayed due to the repair.
En route, the pilot contacted Newcastle Radar and later London Information. The aircraft maintained 5,000 ft and followed a routing clear of Durham Tees Valley airspace. Sunset occurred at 1715 hrs; by the time the aircraft arrived overhead Beverley Airfield at 1814 hrs, it was dark with no moon.
Approach and Accident
The pilot telephoned a club member and requested that he drive to the airfield and illuminate the runway with car headlights. The club member parked at the western end of Runway 12 with headlights shining toward the threshold. He observed the aircraft circling to the west and descending. Suddenly, the aircraft descended vertically and disappeared from view. He alerted emergency services at 1825:20 hrs.
A search located the wreckage at 2247 hrs in a small copse 1.2 nm northwest of Beverley Airfield. The accident site was next to a stream. The aircraft struck the ground in a nose-low, left bank attitude on an approximate heading of 065° magnetic. After initial impact, it travelled 20 m and came to rest against a tree. The impact was not survivable.
Wreckage Examination
Examination showed the aircraft was structurally intact at impact. The left wing was more damaged than the right, consistent with the left bank attitude. Flying controls were continuous except for tensile overload failure of the aileron cable. Flaps were fully retracted; elevator trim was near neutral. The propeller had detached; blades were bent rearward with tips broken off, consistent with the engine being under significant power. The tachometer indicated 2,500 rpm.
The pilot held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had 586 hours total flying experience (546 on type). He did not hold a night rating.