History of the Flight
The pilot departed Tollerton Airport at 0815 hrs for Caernarfon Airport, intending a business meeting. The aircraft tracked via Crewe on a westerly heading. The pilot contacted Liverpool ATC at 0906 hrs, requesting a Flight Information Service and a climb to 4,000 feet. At 0939 hrs, Liverpool advised contacting RAF Valley, but no call was recorded. GPS data showed the aircraft descended from 4,000 to 3,000 feet west of the Conway valley at 0941 hrs, then turned north before resuming west and climbing to 3,800 feet. A further descent began, and GPS data ceased near Elidir Fawr.
Three hill walkers on a track east of Elidir Fawr at about 2,500 feet heard an aircraft approach from the south at approximately 0945 hrs. Shortly after, they heard an impact and the engine noise stopped. They reported to the police. The wreckage was located at 1435 hrs with the pilot seriously injured but conscious. The pilot later recovered fully but could not recall the flight.
Accident Site
The aircraft struck terrain about 85 metres from the summit of Elidir Fawr on a heading of approximately 250°. Initial impact occurred on the left and front, detaching the propeller and twisting the tail. The aircraft traveled upslope about 20 metres, then the right main landing gear and nose gear failed, and the aircraft rotated left before coming to rest 30 metres from first impact.
Wreckage Examination
The AAIB examined the salvaged aircraft. The engine was free to turn, and propeller damage indicated it was under power at impact. No pre-existing defects were found. Fuel tanks were empty; fuel lines were damaged consistent with impact, resulting in complete fuel loss. Flying controls showed no pre-accident defects. The altimeter was set to 1010 mb. The pilot's four-point harness was secure with no defects.
Meteorological Information
The Meteorological Office aftercast indicated a weak cold front over western Wales. Conditions near Snowdonia included broken clouds at 400 feet with visibility reducing to 1,500-2,000 metres and cloudbase lowering to 100 feet at nearby RAF Valley. The pilot had received a QNH of 1010 mb from Liverpool ATC.
Probable Cause
The investigation concluded that the aircraft probably flew into terrain while in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). Engineering examination found no pre-accident faults with the aircraft.