What happened
On 24 June 2018, a Steen Skybolt, registration G-SKIE, was performing a private takeoff from the Kenyon Hall Farm strip in Croft, near Warrington. The pilot elected to depart in a north-easterly direction, following the strip's orientation, despite the presence of trees along the left edge of the runway.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft was positioned approximately 15° to the left of the runway centerline. As the aircraft became airborne, the pilot observed the top of a tree directly ahead. The aircraft subsequently struck the top of a tree and then collided with a second tree, eventually coming to rest on its left side amidst lower branches. The pilot sustained no injuries, though he remained trapped inside the cockpit because the canopy could not be opened. Emergency services arrived at the scene approximately 50 minutes later to extract the pilot.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the pilot's control of the aircraft during the initial climb and the factors contributing to the deviation from the runway centerline. The pilot's experience on this specific type was noted as 19 hours. The investigation examined the takeoff technique, specifically the use of a three-point attitude, and the pilot's visual references during the departure.
Findings
- The aircraft departed the runway centerline due to insufficient right rudder application to counteract engine torque.
- The pilot failed to maintain visual contact with the right edge of the runway, which borders a crop field, within his peripheral vision.
- The aircraft's path led it directly toward the trees situated on the left side of the strip.