What happened
On 10 October 2018, a Reims Cessna F172N Skyhawk, registration G-BGSV, was returning to Beverley Airfield following a day trip to Midlem Airfield in Scotland. The return flight was delayed due to an engine issue discovered earlier in the day, which had required the pilot to reattach an exhaust pipe using parts provided by a local inspector.
By the time the aircraft arrived over Beverley, sunset had already occurred and the environment was dark. The pilot, who did not hold a night rating, arranged for a club member to meet the aircraft at the airfield and use car headlights to illuminate the grass runway threshold. As the aircraft was maneuvering in the final approach area, it was observed to descend rapidly. The impact, which occurred in a nearby woodland, resulted in two fatalities.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found the aircraft was structurally intact upon impact. The engine was still producing significant power at the moment of the crash, as evidenced by the condition of the propeller and the engine tachometer. The investigation also reviewed radar data and communications with London Information.
Analysis of the flight path showed the aircraft had been circling the airfield for approximately 11 minutes. While the pilot had sufficient fuel to divert to the nearby Humberside Airport, he chose to attempt the landing at the unlit Beverley Airfield. The investigation also noted that the pilot's primary altimeter was set incorrectly, which likely resulted in an error in perceived altitude.
Findings
- The pilot attempted to land at an unlit airfield in darkness without a night rating.
- The pilot likely experienced spatial disorientation during a low-level descending turn, leading to a steep nose-down attitude.
- The delay in departure from Midlem meant the arrival occurred after sunset.
- The pilot's lack of familiarity with Humberside Airport may have discouraged him from diverting to a better-equipped facility.