What happened
On 11 August 2004, a Thruster T600T, registration G-MZFP, departed from a grass runway at South Elkington, Lincolnshire, as part of a private flight. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft reached an altitude of roughly 150 feet before entering a rapid descent. Despite the pilot maintaining a climbing attitude and applying full power, the aircraft continued to lose altitude.
To avoid a nearby hill, the pilot maneuvered the aircraft to the right, eventually selecting a field of standing crop for an emergency landing. As the aircraft approached the ground, the pilot reduced the throttle to idle to manage a high airspeed. The aircraft touched down with the wings level at approximately 40 knots. However, as the nose gear entered the four-foot-high crops, the leg bent rearwards, causing the aircraft to stop abruptly. While the pilot escaped without injury, the passenger sustained a minor chest injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the loss of altitude and the subsequent impact. The crew members were both wearing four-point harnesses at the time of the incident. The pilot suggested that the descent was caused by atmospheric conditions, specifically noting the warm (22°C) and humid environment, which may have led to a lack of engine power and increased sink in the lee of the hill.