What happened
On 29 October 2008, a Christen Eagle II, registration G-EGUL, was performing a series of low-level photo passes at Seething Airfield, Norfolk. The flight was intended to capture images of the aircraft for a general aviation magazine. The aircraft was being operated by a private pilot in the rear seat, with the aircraft owner occupying the front seat.
During the second circuit of the airfield, the aircraft transitioned into a final approach for landing. Simultaneously, an agricultural spraying vehicle was operating in an adjacent field, moving near the runway threshold to attend to a replenishment bowser. As the aircraft descended, it collided with the sprayer. The impact caused catastrophic damage to the G-EGUL airframe, leading to a post-crash fire. The pilot in the rear seat sustained fatal injuries at the scene, while the owner sustained critical injuries and died in the hospital 24 days later. The driver of the spraying vehicle survived the impact.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined the flight profiles, the aircraft's mechanical state, and the positioning of both the aircraft and the ground vehicle. Evidence from witnesses and photographs indicated that the aircraft's approach was shallower than previous passes. The investigation also reviewed the airfield's operational rules, noting that the planned low-level maneuvers were actually prohibited by the local flying club's rules.
Engine examinations revealed that the propeller governor was not functioning correctly, which could affect engine power development. However, the investigation focused primarily on the visual and spatial relationship between the aircraft and the ground vehicle. It was determined that the aircraft's configuration during the final turn likely created a blind spot, preventing the crew from seeing the vehicle.