What happened
On 5 June 2013, a P and M Aviation QuikR, registration G-HADD, was performing a private local flight from Manchester Barton Aerodrome. The weather conditions were clear with a light surface wind. After waiting for a Cessna Caravan to land, the pilot received clearance from the AFISO to take off at their discretion. Following a ground run of approximately 100 metres, the pilot advanced the control bar to initiate lift-off.
As the aircraft began to lift, it encountered a sudden and severe downward and backward pull on the starboard wing. This force was accompanied by significant turbulence, likely caused by propeller wash. The aircraft reacted with a violent right-hand turn and rolled over. Both the pilot and the passenger managed to exit the aircraft quickly and without difficulty. While the pilot escaped uninjured, the passenger sustained one minor injury. The aircraft sustained damage to its wings, propeller, and pod.
The investigation
Investigators examined the sequence of events leading to the loss of control. The pilot noted that while the Cessna Caravan had already vacated the runway, it had stopped to receive taxi instructions and subsequently began taxiing to the right just as the microlight commenced its takeoff roll. The pilot considered whether the passenger might have interfered with the controls but ruled this out. The investigation also looked into the potential for wake turbulence or propeller wash interference from the larger aircraft.