What happened
On 1 September 2024, a Sportstar SLM, registration G-CMGB, departed Coal Aston Airfield for a private flight to Clench Common. The pilot had moved his departure time forward to avoid forecasted thunderstorms later in the day. At the time of takeoff, CCTV footage indicated visibility was between 400 m and 600 m, with cloud obscuring trees near the runway.
After departing Runway 11, the aircraft performed several right-hand orbits south of the airfield. During the flight, the aircraft entered cloud cover, losing visual reference to the ground. The aircraft then proceeded toward Chesterfield, where it performed descending orbits, reaching a groundspeed of 178 kt and a descent rate of 5,250 ft/min. Witnesses observed the aircraft emerging from the clouds, performing a steep climb, and then disappearing back into the cloud.
Shortly thereafter, an aircraft was seen spiralling out of control from the clouds. CCTV footage from a nearby industrial estate recorded the Sportstar SLM in a steep, nose-down descent, striking the ground at 0804 hrs. The impact was followed by an intense fire. The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the wreckage and recovered flight planning notes. The investigation focused on the meteorological conditions and the pilot's ability to maintain control in degraded visibility. Analysis of the aircraft's structure, engine, and flight controls found no evidence of pre-existing mechanical failure or structural issues prior to the impact. The propeller was found to have been rotating at high speed at the time of the crash.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's experience and the meteorological forecasts. While the pilot had 390 total flying hours, he did not hold an instrument rating, which is required for flying in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). The investigation also analyzed the pilot's handwritten notes, which showed an awareness of potential weather deterioration but indicated a decision to depart early to avoid later storms.
Findings
- The aircraft entered meteorological conditions that were incompatible with flight under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).
- The pilot likely became spatially disorientated after performing aggressive manoeuvres, such as steep climbs and turns, without adequate visual references.
- The pilot lacked the necessary training and instrument rating required to safely manage the aircraft once visual references were lost.
- The decision to depart in visibility and cloud levels below VFR minima contributed to the encounter with IMC.