What happened
On 2 September 2004, a pilot was conducting the first flight of a MW5D Sorcerer, registration G-MZEI, at Belle Vue Airstrip in Great Torrendington, Devon. The pilot had recently purchased the aircraft and had performed assembly and taxiing trials on the previous day.
During the flight, the pilot attempted a series of take-off runs to assess the aircraft's handling. Upon applying maximum power for a full take-off, the aircraft accelerated rapidly. The pilot applied aft stick to lift the nosewheel, but the aircraft pitched up excessively. Despite the pilot applying full forward control column input, the aircraft failed to respond to the pitch commands. The aircraft subsequently entered a stall, causing the right wing to drop. The aircraft impacted the ground in a steep, inverted attitude, resulting in serious injuries to the pilot and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage and found no evidence of pre-impact structural failure or disconnection of the flight controls. The investigation focused on the tailplane trim system, which utilized an all-flying tail with an anti-balance tab. The trim adjuster, which was located under the pilot's right elbow, was found to have been set in a position that was excessively trailing edge up, which would have caused a nose-down trim setting. However, the design of the adjuster made the setting appear to be in a neutral position at a casual glance.
Analysis of the flight dynamics suggested that the aircraft's rapid acceleration likely caused the pilot to rotate the nose too early. This resulted in the aircraft becoming airborne at an airspeed and attitude that induced a partial stall. The low airspeed meant there was insufficient airflow over the tailplane to allow the pilot's forward control inputs to effectively lower the nose.
Findings
- The aircraft became airborne at an airspeed and pitch attitude that did not allow for proper control.
- The aircraft entered a stall which led to an unrecoverable roll and inverted impact.
- An inadvertent nose-down trim setting was present, though the trim adjuster's appearance was misleading.
- The pilot lacked an operating manual or specific type-handling documentation for the aircraft.
- The pilot's recent training on a different microlight type did not adequately prepare him for the specific stall characteristics of the Sorcerer.