What happened
On 20 April 2009, a Thruster T600N, registration G-MZGZ, was involved in an accident during a private flight departing from Throckmorton Airfield, Worcestershire. The pilot intended to conduct a local flight to gain additional experience on the aircraft type, having not flown it recently.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot's view of the Airspeed Indicator (ASI) was obscured by the sun. Shortly after the aircraft became airborne, it entered a stall. In an attempt to regain control, the pilot pushed the control column forward. Realising that the remaining runway length was inadequate for a safe landing on the main strip, the pilot steered the aircraft toward a curved, paved track that branched off the runway. Just prior to touchdown, the pilot switched off the magnetos. After touching down on the track, the aircraft struck a tree and an animal observation hide, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft. The pilot escaped the wreckage without injury.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation was based on the accident report submitted by the pilot and subsequent enquiries. The investigation focused on the sequence of events following takeoff and the environmental factors affecting the pilot's ability to monitor flight parameters. The investigation established that the pilot's vision was significantly hampered by sunlight, which prevented an accurate reading of the airspeed during the critical moments of the takeoff.
Findings
- The pilot experienced a stall shortly after takeoff.
- Sunlight-induced impairment of the pilot's vision made it difficult to monitor the airspeed indicator.
- The pilot attempted to land on an alternative paved track when it became clear the primary runway was too short.
- The aircraft was destroyed upon impact with a tree and an observation hide.