What happened
During a takeoff roll from Runway 08 at Blackbushe, an aircraft carrying the pilot and four passengers encountered heavy fog with visibility restricted to under 500 metres. As the aircraft reached the upwind end of the runway, it was observed banking toward the left before it vanished from sight. Approximately 13 seconds after the initial observation, the aircraft struck a factory complex, triggering a large-scale fire. The impact and subsequent blaze resulted in five fatalities, with no survivors among the occupants.
Findings
Post-accident investigations into the wreckage revealed that the engines, propellers, and flight controls were all in proper working order, with no mechanical malfunctions identified in these systems. However, data from the cockpit voice recorder indicated that the revolutions per minute (RPM) of one propeller decreased during the rotation phase of takeoff. This reduction created thrust asymmetry during a critical moment of flight. The investigation concluded that the pilot likely experienced a loss of control due to the lack of visual references in the fog, confusion regarding the power loss, and potential spatial disorientation. Although the pilot may have recognized the emergency shortly before impact, the low altitude prevented any successful recovery attempt.