What happened
On 12 April 2003, a Rans S6-ESD XL Coyote II, registration G-MZDR, was conducting a private flight from Kilkeel to Tandragee Airstrip. The pilot, who was familiar with the airfield, attempted a landing using a direction that provided a slight uphill slope and minimized noise for nearby residents. During the approach, the aircraft was traveling too fast and remained too high, resulting in a touchdown further down the runway than intended.
In an attempt to rectify the situation, the pilot initiated a go-around. While the aircraft successfully cleared a hedge at the airfield boundary, it failed to gain enough altitude to pass over a row of tall trees in a neighboring field. The left wing of the aircraft struck the upper branches of an oak tree at approximately 60 feet, causing the aircraft to plunge nose-first into the ground. The impact caused severe damage to the cockpit and wings, though both the pilot and the passenger sustained only minor injuries.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot and subsequent enquiries. Investigators examined the pilot's flight experience, noting he had 59 total flying hours, with 48 of those hours completed on this specific aircraft type. The investigation also reviewed the environmental conditions, including the estimated 10 kt tailwind present during the approach and the terrain features surrounding the airstrip.