What happened
On 18 December 2005, a mid-air collision occurred near the disused airfield at Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire, involving two light aircraft. The first aircraft, a Cessna 152 with registration G-BNXC, was being operated by a student pilot on a cross-country navigation exercise. The aircraft was flying at a relatively low altitude, likely between 1,200 and 1,500 feet, as the pilot descended toward the airfield area.
Simultaneously, an Aerotechnik EV-97 Eurostar, registration G-GHEE, was conducting a private scenic flight. The pilot of the Eurostar was performing a right-hand turn over the airfield to allow a passenger to take photographs of the Fire Service College buildings. During this maneuver, the two aircraft converged.
The collision resulted in the Cessna 152 entering a steep dive and crashing on the disused airfield, which caused the fatal death of the pilot. The Eurostar sustained substantial damage to its engine, propeller, and landing gear after the impact, but the pilot and passenger were uninjured. The aircraft landed in a nearby field following a forced landing.
The investigation
AAIB investigators used 3D CAD modeling to reconstruct the flight paths and the geometry of the impact. The analysis determined that the Eurostar was tracking at a right angle to the Cessna 152 at the moment of impact, striking the Cessna's left wing.
Investigators examined the visual limitations of both pilots. For the pilot of the G-GHEE, the Cessna 152 was likely obscured by the aircraft's left screen pillar until very late in the sequence. For the pilot of the G-BNXC, the Eurostar may have been hidden behind the left pillar of the cockpit. Furthermore, the investigation looked into whether the pilot's attention was diverted by ground features during the photography maneuver, and whether the use of certain non-prescription medications might have contributed to impaired visual functions.
Findings
- The collision occurred because neither pilot identified the other aircraft in time to perform effective avoidance maneuvers.
- The pilot of the G-GHEE may have been focused on ground features for photography, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the lookout.
- The Cessna 152 may have been obscured by the aircraft's structural pillars.
- The presence of certain non-prescription medications, which can cause drowsiness or visual impairment, was identified as a potential contributory factor.
Safety action
- The CAA should review guidance within LASORS to emphasize that regulations regarding medication apply to occasional use, not just regular use.