What happened
On 6 September 1998, a Cassutt Speed One, registration G-AXDZ, was participating in a private air race at Leicester Airport. The race followed an oval course approximately 4,000 metres in length, centered around the active runway 10. Weather conditions at the time were favorable, with no reported turbulence and a light wind.
As the aircraft approached the finish line at high speed and an altitude of approximately 100 feet, the pilot overtook a slower-moving aircraft. During this maneuver, the pilot felt a violent force and a sudden rearward movement of the control column, which was pulled from his grip. Following this event, the aircraft entered a divergent pitch oscillation that lasted for roughly four cycles. The aircraft subsequently struck the runway and broke apart. While the fuel tank remained intact, the fuel filler cap became dislodged, leading to an ignition of escaping fuel. The pilot sustained serious injuries, specifically extensive burns to the right hand.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The inquiry examined the sequence of events during the overtaking maneuver and the subsequent loss of control. The investigation also looked into the structural integrity of the aircraft and the effectiveness of the pilot's protective equipment, such as the flame-proof coveralls and the aircraft's roll bar and flexible fuel tank, which the pilot noted contributed to his survival.