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30
Apr
Spofforth pilot, 21, died performing 'uncontrolled spin'
An aircraft "did not recover from a spin" before it hit the ground near a North Yorkshire village killing two men, an investigation has found.
The Cessna FRA150L two-seater plane crashed in a field near Thorganby, between York and Selby, on the morning of July 28, 2024.
Pilot Matthew Bird, 21, of Spofforth, and passenger Oliver Dawes, 24, from Burley-in-Wharfedale, were both killed.
An Air Accidents Investigation Branch report published today (April 30) found the aircraft took off in fine conditions at 8.15am from Breighton Airfield.
It flew north and Mr Bird informed Humberside radar control that he intended to perform aerobatic manoeuvres between 3,000 and 6,000 feet.
Video recordings from inside the cockpit showed the pilot performing aerobatic manoeuvres from over 5,000 feet, regaining altitude between each manoeuvre.
But at 8.44am he issued a Mayday call saying he was in an "uncontrolled spin".
Investigators said the aircraft "did not recover" and crashed.
'Sensible and conscientious'
Neither man was wearing parachutes, which was not a regulatory requirement and is not common practice during aerobatic training.
The report said Mr Bird was "known to be sensible and conscientious" but the accident highlighted "how unexpectedly challenging multiple turn spins can be".
Oliver Dawes.
Mr Bird, who had 153 hours of flying experience, was “newly rated for aerobatic flying” and tried to perform a recovery action to prevent the plane from spinning.
The report added:
The aircraft entered a fully developed spin to the left but, when recovery actions were commenced, the control column was not pushed far enough forward to un-stall the wing.
The aircraft therefore remained in a spin until it struck the ground.
The report said Mr Bird “appeared surprised that his recovery actions were not proving effective".
It said:
It was likely that the spin recovery technique had not yet become a skill-based response that the pilot could apply effectively even when surprised and in a dynamic situation.
Investigators said the Civil Aviation Authority intended to promote its “safety sense leaflet and video about spin awareness and the use of parachutes” following the accident.
Mr Bird’s provisional cause of death was attributed to facial injuries at his inquest opening on August 8, 2024, which was adjourned for a full hearing at a later date.
Mr Bird's family released a tribute to him shortly after his death. It said:
Yesterday we lost our son, a brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.
Matthew meant so much to so many. We are utterly heartbroken, but he will live on in our hearts as we cherish the incredibly special memories he’s left us with.
The family of Mr Dawes also released a statement at the time, which said Oliver would “continue to live in our hearts".
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