What happened
On 8 April 2000, a Spitfire Tr.9, registration G-TRIX, was performing a series of circuits at Goodwood Airfield. The flight was a private operation intended to supervise the owner, a South African national, as he worked toward achieving the proficiency required to fly the aircraft solo.
After an initial successful circuit, the aircraft entered its second circuit. During the final turn onto the approach leg, witnesses observed the aircraft flying at an unusually low altitude with a high nose attitude. As the aircraft attempted to level its wings, a sudden increase in engine power was noted. This power application caused the aircraft to roll sharply to the left, with the left wing striking a tree and the banking of the motor racing track. The impact caused the aircraft to become inverted, striking the racetrack before coming to rest on the grass. Both the pilot and the owner sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage of G-Tric and found the aircraft to be structurally sound at the point of the initial impact. The flight controls, landing gear, and flaps were all found to be intact and functioning correctly. The engine showed evidence of rapid rotation at the time of the accident, consistent with a sudden increase in power.
Regarding the crew, the pilot was an experienced airline captain with significant experience in various historical aircraft, though his experience specifically in the rear seat of this two-seat configuration was limited. The owner was an experienced pilot but had very little experience with the Spitfire type.
Toxicology results revealed that the pilot had a significant amount of diphenhydramine in his system, an antihistamine found in many over-the-counter cold medicines known to cause drowsiness. Additionally, the pilot's recent schedule included a flight simulator session late the previous night and several flight sectors on the day of the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft's descent below the ideal flight path was likely due to the owner's lack of experience with the aircraft type.
- The sudden roll to the left following power application was likely caused by insufficient right rudder usage to counteract the torque roll.
- The pilot's ability to intervene and correct the flight path may have been compromised by fatigue and drowsiness induced by antihistamine medication.