What happened
On 7 August 2005, a Cessna FR172E, registration G-OMAC, was performing a positioning flight from Compton Abbas Airfield to a private airstrip at Brackles．lesham Bay. The pilot had completed several banner-towing flights during the preceding two days. Shortly after departing the airfield, the aircraft entered a left turn with an increasing bank angle. Witnesses observed the aircraft's nose descend, and the plane subsequently impacted the ground approximately 558 feet south of the airstrip. The impact resulted in one fatality.
The investigation
The AAIB examination of the wreckage showed that the aircraft was intact prior to impact and the engine was producing power. While investigators noted some damage to the rudder base caused by the banner hook mechanism, they determined it was unlikely to have jammed the controls during this specific flight. The engine was found to be mechanically sound, though the investigation identified a failure in the crankshaft in torsion, which occurred during the impact. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's recent flight history, noting a high workload over the previous 48 hours.
Findings
- The accident was caused by a loss of control following a turn to the left.
- An increasing tailwind may have exacerbated the stall during the maneuver.
- The pilot may have been experiencing fatigue due to the cumulative effect of long working hours and a heavy workload over two consecutive days of banner-towing.
- There was no evidence of any mechanical or engine failure contributing to the crash.
- The pilot may have been focused on visual acquisition of the airstrip, potentially leading to inadequate monitoring of the aircraft's bank angle and airspeed.