History of the Flight
The pilot planned to fly from the United Kingdom to Orlando, Florida, USA. He departed Gamston Airfield on 4 April 2008, stopping at Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green to uplift fuel, then continued to Carlisle, where he landed at 1404 hrs. After overnighting at Carlisle, he departed on 5 April at 0812 hrs without refueling, en route to Wick.
At 0908 hrs, the pilot contacted Scottish Information, reporting he was north of RAF Leuchars at 4,000 ft on a direct track to Wick, with an estimated arrival time of 1125 hrs. He requested a climb to 6,000 ft due to turbulence, which was approved. By 0930 hrs, he estimated 42 nm west of Aberdeen at 8,300 ft and requested weather for Inverness. At 0933 hrs, he was transferred to Inverness Approach, where he requested descent to 4,000 ft. The controller asked him to squawk 6174 and confirm VFR. The pilot complied and was advised of the Inverness QNH of 1021 mb.
At 0935 hrs, the pilot was identified 10 nm south of Lochindorb. Between 0936 and 0940 hrs, Inverness ATC called four times with no reply. Radar showed the aircraft turning away from Inverness, at a pressure altitude of 3,600 ft (3,840 ft amsl). At 0944 hrs, the pilot called, reporting a problem with his 'comms one' and stating he was diverting to Aberdeen due to severe weather and icing. Inverness offered diversion to Inverness, 20 nm away. The pilot acknowledged, but transmissions became broken. A commercial aircraft relayed communications, providing Aberdeen frequencies and weather. The pilot did not respond after 0948 hrs.
Accident
At about 0950 hrs, a witness at the Cairngorm ski resort heard an aircraft approaching from behind, saw a grey shape at approximately 100 ft agl traveling south-south-east, then the engine noise faded. Another witness heard a light aircraft at low height. The aircraft struck Cairn Gorm 150 ft below its summit (4,085 ft amsl). The wreckage and pilot's body were discovered the following day by a Mountain Rescue Team.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot, aged 45 with approximately 440 hours total flying experience (at least 126 on type), sustained fatal injuries. A post-mortem attributed death to multiple injuries, including a severe head injury, from large deceleration forces. No pre-existing medical conditions were found. The aircraft was destroyed.
Meteorological Conditions
An aftercast indicated an Arctic Maritime airmass. At 0945 hrs, an automated station on Cairn Gorm recorded -5.4°C, wind 350°/37 kt gusting to 51 kt. Aviemore reported similar conditions. Freezing level was between 1,500 and 2,200 ft amsl. Visibility in hill fog was below 200 m. Forecasts for the area warned of moderate icing and turbulence in cloud, and severe icing in cumulonimbus.
Aircraft Examination
No fault was found with the aircraft or its systems.