What happened
On 30 November 2002, a Cessna 150M, registration G-BFOG, departed Compton Abbas for a local VFR flight. Shortly after takeoff, while at an altitude of approximately 700 feet, the aircraft entered cloud cover. The pilot, who was not qualified for instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), lost situational awareness regarding his position. In an attempt to regain visual contact with the ground, the pilot climbed toward visible blue sky, but deteriorating conditions eventually forced a descent through the cloud layer.
Upon reaching the ground visually near Fovant, the pilot attempted to navigate back to Compton Abbas by following the A30 trunk road at an altitude of roughly 200 feet. Although the pilot spotted the airfield strobe light, subsequent low cloud forced a change in course. While attempting to navigate a valley near Henstridge, the pilot became trapped by low cloud layers. After receiving advice from a radio operator at Compton Abbas and a commercial pilot monitoring the emergency frequency, the pilot determined that a landing was necessary. The aircraft performed a precautionary landing in a field, which proceeded without incident until the aircraft struck a wire fence at the conclusion of the landing roll. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of events leading to the loss of visual references and the subsequent navigation attempts within the valley. The investigation also reviewed the communication between the pilot and ground-based personnel, including the radio operator at Compton Abbas and the Distress and Diversion cell at West Drayton, noting that the latter could not locate the aircraft due to its low flight altitude.