What happened
On 16 July 1998, a Cessna T303, registration G-BSPF, was conducting a private flight from Sheffield City Airport to Nottingham. While flying near Burton Joyce, the pilot entered the local traffic zone at approximately 1,000 feet. During a period of orbiting near a local residence, the pilot experienced moderate turbulence, which was initially perceived as thermal activity.
During this maneuver, the left wing suddenly dropped, causing the aircraft to roll through the vertical position. Although the pilot attempted to correct the attitude using rudder and forward elevator input, the aircraft could not be recovered to a stable descent rate. The pilot noted that the engines were not producing full power during the recovery attempt. Consequently, the pilot initiated a forced landing with the landing gear in the retracted position.
As the aircraft approached a field near Bridle Road, it struck a telegraph pole, yawed to the left, and impacted the ground with a high rate of descent. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot sustained serious injuries and was unable to exit the cockpit, but was assisted by local residents who arrived at the scene promptly. No fire occurred following the impact.
The investigation
Investigators examined the flight parameters and the aircraft's performance during the incident. While the pilot was at an altitude of 1,000 feet when he began orbiting, eyewitnesses reported that the aircraft was at a much lower altitude, approximately 300 feet above ground level, at the moment it departed from controlled flight.
Technical analysis of the flight state revealed that the pilot was flying at approximately 100 kt with a 60-degree bank angle. Given the aircraft's configuration, the basic stalling speed was roughly 70 kt; however, the increased load factor during the turn would have raised the required stalling speed to 100 kt. This indicates the aircraft was operating at its aerodynamic limit.
Findings
- The aircraft was flying at a speed that matched the increased stalling speed required by the load factor of the turn.
- The pilot experienced a sudden roll and was unable to maintain altitude due to insufficient engine power development during the recovery attempt.