What happened
On 6 October 2013, a Pegasus XL-R microlight, registration G-MVKM, was conducting a private flight from a farmer's field in Stourton, West Midlands. After an uneventful takeoff at approximately 1640 hrs, the aircraft remained airborne for only five to ten minutes before returning to the same field to land.
During the final approach from a north-easterly direction, the aircraft struck a set of high-voltage power cables that spanned the corner of the field. The impact caused the cables to short circuit and part, leading to the destruction of the aircraft upon hitting the ground. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the crash.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the wreckage and the flight circumstances. The investigation established that the aircraft was in good mechanical condition and the engine was producing power at the moment of impact. However, the aircraft's certificate of validity had lapsed in 2010, and the registration G-MVKM had been officially de-registered in November 2012.
Investigators also reviewed the pilot's flying history and medical status. While the pilot had significant experience flying his own microlights, he did not hold a valid pilot's licence. A post-mortem examination identified pre-existing medical conditions that could have caused distracting or incapacitating symptoms. Additionally, the investigation noted that the sun was low in the sky during the approach, placing the pilot in a position where he would have been flying almost directly into the sunlight.
Findings
- The aircraft struck high-voltage power cables, causing an electrical arc and subsequent structural failure.
- The collision with power cables was the primary cause of the accident.
- The low angle of the sun and the alignment of the cables with surface ruts in the field may have made the wires difficult for the pilot to detect.
- The pilot was operating the aircraft without the required training or a valid pilot's licence.
- The aircraft was not airworthy due to lapsed certification and its de-registered status.