What happened
On 16 April 2015, a Streak Shadow SA, registration G-BXVD, was being used for taxiing familiarisation at Rossall Field airstrip in Lancashire. The pilot, who had recently acquired the aircraft and had no prior experience on this specific type, was conducting a practice session following an engine run. During a high-speed taxi along Runway 02, the aircraft veered left off the runway and entered rough grass.
As the aircraft traversed the uneven terrain, the pilot held the control column aft to mitigate vibrations. However, when the nosewheel struck a pothole, the pilot's left hand moved forward, unintentionally advancing the throttle to the full power position. This caused the aircraft to briefly lift off the ground. Despite an attempt to reduce power and pitch the nose down, the aircraft underwent a heavy landing. The impact resulted in one serious injury to the pilot, specifically a crushed vertebra and fractures to the rib and sternum.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the loss of control and the subsequent unintended takeoff. Investigators examined the pilot's recent flying history, noting that while experienced in flex-wing microlights, the pilot had no recent experience on three-axis aircraft like the Streak Shadow SA. The physical movement of the pilot within the cockpit was also analyzed in relation to the aircraft's impact with the pothole.