What happened
On 29 October 2011, a Pegasus XL-Q, registration G-MWKY, was conducting a solo navigation training flight when the pilot encountered significant difficulties managing the aircraft. While flying in gusty wind conditions, the pilot found the aircraft increasingly difficult to control. Although the weather forecast had predicted winds of 20 knots from 200°, the pilot perceived the actual wind strength to be higher.
In response to the deteriorating handling, the pilot elected to perform an emergency landing in a field at Charley Mill Farm, located in Markfield, Leicestershire. During the landing sequence, the aircraft made a heavy touchdown, which caused the aircraft to overturn. The aircraft sustained extensive damage, but the pilot escaped with only minor injuries.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation focused on the environmental conditions and the pilot's handling of the aircraft during the landing phase. The investigation reviewed the pilot's experience, noting that at the time of the accident, the pilot was a student with 45 total flying hours, all of which were on this specific type. The investigation also examined the meteorological conditions, specifically the discrepancy between the forecasted wind and the pilot's perception of the wind strength at the time of the incident.