What happened
On 13 July 2019, a Zenair CH 601UL aircraft, registration G-CDFL, was conducting a private flight from Netherthorpe Airfield to Caunton Airfield. The weather conditions were favorable, with good visibility and light winds. As the pilot approached Caunton, they observed another aircraft departing Runway 03 and turning right, which deviated from the standard left-hand circuit pattern.
While attempting to join the overhead circuit, the pilot encountered further uncertainty when a ground radio operator alerted them to potential conflicting traffic. The pilot identified another aircraft on the base leg flying a right-hand circuit. To ensure safe separation from this traffic, the pilot decided to turn onto the base leg earlier than planned. During this maneuvering, the pilot's attention was diverted by the need to monitor the other aircraft, resulting in a significant decay in airspeed. Consequently, the left wing dropped, leading the aircraft into a steep nose-down turn or an incipient spin. The aircraft struck a hedge before hitting the ground in a level attitude. The pilot sustained no injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of events leading to the loss of control. The investigation established that the pilot was actively managing a potential mid-air conflict involving an aircraft flying an incorrect circuit direction. The focus of the inquiry was on the pilot's decision-making regarding separation and the subsequent loss of airspeed monitoring during the turn to base leg.