What happened
On 11 September 2000, a Jodel D1-12, registration G-AXTX, was engaged in a private flight from Wolverhampton to Swansea. The pilot had previously flown from Swansea to Shenstone earlier that day to complete a technical inspection for a 'Permit to Fly' renewal. After refueling at Wolverhampton, the aircraft departed at 1513 hrs.
Later that afternoon, witnesses camping on the Welsh mountains, approximately 20 miles north of Swansea, observed the aircraft circling to their south. They noted that the weather was highly changeable, with visibility fluctuating between clear and 80 metres. The aircraft flew directly over their position twice before the engine noise changed, followed by a period of silence. The witnesses then observed the aircraft descending vertically toward the ground. The aircraft struck the terrain approximately 100 metres from the witnesses, resulting in one fatality.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and the aircraft's engine, finding the Continental A65-8F engine to be mechanically sound. The propeller showed evidence of low power at the moment of impact. While the fuel recovered from the tank showed some contamination, investigators determined this was likely due to post-accident exposure to the atmosphere rather than a cause of the crash. The fuel supply from the previous stop at Wolverhampton was found to meet required specifications.
Analysis of the flight instruments and the cockpit environment revealed that the aircraft was not equipped with an electrical system or advanced instrumentation. The pilot's handheld GPS units confirmed the flight path, and radar tracks showed the aircraft had been maneuvering, possibly to avoid weather, before the accident. The investigation also looked into the possibility of carburettor icing, noting that the air heat control was set to the 'hot' position.
Findings
- The pilot inadvertently entered a layer of cloud while attempting to navigate around changing weather conditions.
- The aircraft's limited instrumentation made it extremely difficult to maintain situational awareness or control the aircraft once visual references were lost.
- Carburettor icing remains a possibility, as atmospheric conditions were conducive to moderate to serious icing at the flight altitude.
- The pilot's focus on avoiding cloud or managing potential engine issues likely led to a loss of control.