What happened
On 14 September 2016, a student pilot was conducting his second solo flight in a Thruster T600N 450, registration G-OASJ, at Bradley’s Lawn Airfield in East Sussex. The flight was part of a training session following circuit practice in crosswind conditions.
While on final approach, the pilot became concerned about a potential undershoot and adjusted his flight path. This resulted in an unstable approach, and during the flare, the aircraft experienced wing rock and a heavy bounce upon ground contact. Following radio instructions from an instructor, the pilot attempted a go-around by applying full power. This application of power caused the aircraft to yaw and roll sharply to the left. Before the pilot could implement corrective maneuvers, the aircraft struck trees approximately 15 metres above the ground. The pilot escaped without injuries, but the aircraft sustained extensive damage and was declared a total loss.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight history, the pilot's experience, and the sequence of events leading to the impact. The pilot had completed his first solo flight three weeks prior at Headcorn Airfield. On the day of the accident, the instructor had been satisfied with the student's performance during earlier circuit practices and had authorized the solo flight.
Post-accident analysis focused on the pilot's handling of the aircraft during the critical moments of the go-around. The investigation looked into the aircraft's behavior during the transition from touchdown to full power and the pilot's ability to manage the resulting aerodynamic forces.