What happened
On the morning of the accident, the aircraft, registered G-BYCP, was scheduled for a non-commercial flight from StapleCOrd Aerodrome to RAF Brize Norton. The flight was intended to transport two company employees before picking up two additional passengers. The crew consisted of a pilot in the left seat and a second pilot in the right seat. While the second occupant was an employee of the operator, his specific flight qualifications were not valid for the Beechcraft King Air type.
Departure was initially delayed due to heavy fog and low cloud cover. After the pilot observed that visibility had improved to at least 1,000 m, a departure clearance was obtained via a mobile phone call to the en-route Air Navigation Service Provider. The flight plan required the aircraft to take off from Runway 22L, turn right after takeoff, and climb to a maximum altitude of 2,400 ft amsl to stay below the London TMA.
The aircraft departed at 0921 hrs. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing at a track of approximately 205°M, the aircraft reached an altitude of about 750 ft amsl before initiating a right turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft reached 875 ft amsl and then began a descent. The aircraft subsequently struck trees at the edge of a field located roughly 1.8 nm southwest of the aerodrome. The impact resulted in two fatalities and no survivors. An eyewitness reported seeing the aircraft in a nose-down attitude, appearing to fly at high speed into the trees.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in weather conditions characterized by fog and low cloud.
- The aircraft entered a descent during a turn after reaching an altitude of 875 ft amsl, leading to the impact with trees.