Accident Synopsis
The aircraft was flying along the north shore of the western Solent when it deviated from its course and descended to low level near Lymington. While maneuvering, it was seen to pitch up, depart controlled flight, and descend steeply to the ground. The pilot had made a routine radio transmission minutes earlier with no indication of trouble.
History of the Flight
The pilot intended to fly from Shoreham Airport in Sussex to Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon. During pre-flight preparations, the engine was started and then shut down after a short period. The aircraft then taxied to the fuel pumps, where the pilot requested and received 35 liters of Avgas 100LL. After refueling, the pilot moved the aircraft to the edge of the refueling area, boarded with the passenger, and sat with the canopy open for approximately five minutes before starting the engine and taxiing to the holding point for Runway 02. A Cessna aircraft departed first, and G-TBEE took off at 1135 hrs. The Cessna pilot observed G-TBEE overtake his aircraft and rock its wings. G-TBEE continued westward, making routine radio contacts with Goodwood Airfield at 1142 hrs and Solent Radar at 1152 hrs. At 1157 hrs, the pilot reported being abeam Calshot at 1,300 ft amsl and was instructed to contact Bournemouth Radar. No further radio calls were received.
Technical Examination
The technical examination eliminated mechanical or structural failure as a cause of the accident. However, it concluded that a partial engine failure may have contributed. Post-mortem results raised the possibility that the pilot may have been medically incapacitated prior to the accident.
Witness Information
Several witnesses reported seeing an aircraft matching G-TBEE's description maneuvering at low altitude near the accident site. Some described a 'porpoising' motion before a final pitch-up, roll, and steep descent. Two sightings were accurately timed: one from a car driver who saw the aircraft at an unusual attitude, and one from a deckhand on a ferry in the Lymington River who observed an aircraft circling at low level for up to five minutes.
GPS Data
The aircraft was equipped with a GPS navigation system recording time, position, groundspeed, track, and altitude every 30 seconds. Data showed a steady track of about 255° at groundspeeds between 124 and 129 kt. Around the time of the last transmission, GPS altitude dipped to 1,153 ft, then to 1,318 ft at the last point on the original track. The next point showed a reduced groundspeed of 95 kt and an altitude of 1,234 ft, with an increased descent rate. The final recorded point was at 513 ft and 80 kt, 800 m north of the previous position. The accident is estimated to have occurred at about 1159 hrs.
Personnel Information
The pilot, aged 53, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated an estimated 1,059 flying hours, with 290 hours on type. He had begun flying microlight aircraft in 1983 and converted to single-engine piston types in 1999. His last logbook entry was on 29 May 2005, and his recent flying experience was estimated from ATC records and GPS memory logs. In the preceding 90 days, he had flown an estimated 8.5 hours.