Incident Overview
A single-engine aircraft was returning from a service at Stapleford Tawney aerodrome to its base at Hethel aerodrome, near Norwich. While under the surveillance of Honington Radar, the pilot requested and received permission to maneuver between flight level 75 (FL75) and FL60.
Sequence of Events
A few minutes later, radar observed the aircraft flying in a south-easterly direction before it disappeared from the radar screen. At approximately the same time, the aircraft was heard in a high-speed descent and was seen to break up at around 2,500 feet. The main portion of the wreckage burst into flames shortly after impact. The pilot, who was the only occupant, was killed in the accident.
Probable Cause
The official investigation concluded that the accident was caused by the pilot attempting to recover from a dive while flying at a speed considerably in excess of the aircraft's permitted maximum. The excessive speed resulted from the pilot's loss of control of the aircraft, most likely following an attempt to perform a prohibited aerobatic maneuver.