What happened
On 4 January 2004, a Denney Kitfox Mk 2, registration G-BZLO, was performing a private flight from Woodlands Barton Farm, a grass airstrip located near Roche, Cornwall. The weather conditions were favorable, with clear skies and visibility exceeding 10 km. After observing another aircraft struggle with a long takeoff run due to calm winds, the pilot departed from Runway 01.
Following a period of flight near Padstow, the pilot returned to the airfield to land. During the approach, the pilot opted for a side slip method rather than using flaperons to avoid restricted control movement. Upon approaching the runway, the pilot determined that the remaining runway length was insufficient for a safe landing and initiated a go-around. During this maneuver, the pilot applied power gradually to observe the windsock for any potential tailwind.
The aircraft climbed to an estimated altitude of 70 to 90 feet. As the pilot transitioned into a left-hand circuit, the aircraft's ground track began to drift toward the runway centerline. In an attempt to correct the course and avoid overshooting the centerline, the pilot increased the bank angle to approximately 50 degrees. This maneuver, performed at a low airspeed of roughly 40 mph, caused the left wing to stall. The aircraft subsequently dropped and struck the ground in a nose-down attitude, resulting in serious injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence, the aircraft's performance during the go-around, and the pilot's decision-making process. Investigators reviewed the aircraft's configuration, noting that the pilot had intentionally avoided using flaperons to maintain control effectiveness. The investigation also looked into the physical circumstances of the impact, noting that the aircraft sustained severe damage to the cockpit and nose area. The presence of a four-point restraint harness was noted as a factor that likely mitigated the severity of the pilot's injuries.