Accident Overview
On 16 August 2012 at approximately 1935 hrs UTC, a Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk (registration G-BODP) crashed in a field near Bruera, Cheshire. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants, an instructor and a student, suffered fatal injuries. The flight was a training exercise (Exercise 10a – slow flight) originating from Hawarden Airport.
History of the Flight
The aircraft was on its sixth training flight of the day. The instructor had flown three earlier flights, while another instructor had flown two, including the penultimate flight. No defects were noted on the aircraft, which had been refuelled to full tanks two flying hours prior to the last flight.
For the final flight, the instructor signed the technical log, noting that the remaining fuel was 69 litres, sufficient for a planned one-hour flight with reserves. The aircraft took off at 1906 hrs and the instructor arranged a Basic Service with Hawarden Tower radio frequency. At 1909 hrs, the instructor requested to operate “NOT ABOVE 4,500 FT,” and the controller responded with no altitude restriction but requested the aircraft remain outside controlled airspace. No further radio transmissions from the crew were reported.
The aircraft initially departed south, passed over Wrexham, and then turned northeast. At 1934 hrs, the controller noticed the aircraft was no longer generating a radar return and attempted to contact it without success. Hawarden ATC initiated overdue action, and emergency services were notified of a crash near Bruera at about 1935 hrs.
Witnesses
Three eyewitnesses observed parts of the final moments. Eyewitness A, driving south of the accident site, saw a “cigar-shaped” object in a steep descent that may have been turning, visible for about two seconds. Eyewitness B, north of the site, saw the aircraft descending nearly vertically, nose down, from a few hundred feet, with a steady red light and no rotation. Eyewitness C, north of the accident, saw a steep vertical descent lasting about six seconds, heard a loud noise, and observed a white object with red or orange top falling at the same speed as the aircraft.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The wreckage was found in a wheat field with crop about 80 cm high. All main parts were present within a few metres. The aircraft struck the ground intact at low forward speed with a high rate of descent. The engine was embedded approximately 45° nose down and 20° left wing low. Propeller evidence indicated the engine was not under power at impact.
The left main landing gear detached; a ground mark indicated the left wing struck first. The right main landing gear was embedded vertically. The aircraft’s attitude at impact was nose down, left wing low, consistent with a spin to the left. No fire occurred.
Weight and Balance
At the time of the accident, the aircraft was below its maximum take-off mass, and the centre of gravity remained within the allowable range throughout the flight.
Meteorological Conditions
A Met Office aftercast estimated wind at 2,000 ft as 200° at 25–30 kt. Visibility exceeded 20 km with cloud base above 5,000 ft, though an approaching front lowered cloud base to between 2,500 and 3,000 ft. Surface wind at Hawarden at 1920 hrs was 140°/6 kt.
Pilot Information
The instructor, aged 50, held a Commercial Pilot’s Licence with a Flying Instructor rating (single-pilot, single-engine, no aerobatics or night instruction). His total flying experience was estimated at 10,440 hours, with at least 150 hours on the PA-38 type. A logbook from October 2008 to May 2012 recorded 10,330 hours and contained no references to spinning. He had worked for a flying school since December 2011, flying PA-38 and PA-28 aircraft, averaging about 45 hours per month.