What happened
On 28 March 2011, a Pegasus Quantum 15-912, registration G-BYYY, was performing a training flight at Redlands Airfield in Wiltshire. The pilot had just finished a period of dual instruction followed by 50 minutes of solo flight. While attempting a touch-and-go maneuver on Runway 06N, the aircraft encountered a sudden gust of wind just before touchdown. This gust caused the aircraft to drift toward the left edge of the grass runway, which was characterized by rough terrain.
As the pilot attempted to accelerate, the uneven surface caused the aircraft's acceleration to be slower than anticipated. Consequently, the aircraft became airborne with inadequate height to navigate around or clear a nearby tree. The flight ended when the pod and propeller struck the tree, bringing the aircraft to a halt. The pilot sustained no injuries during the event.
The investigation
Investigators reviewed the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. The examination focused on the flight conditions and the aircraft's performance during the takeoff roll. The investigation established that the pilot was aware of a tree located at a distance but became concerned about a potential collision following the wind gust. The investigation also noted the pilot's significant flying experience, totaling 17,500 hours, though only 13 of those hours were on this specific aircraft type.