A 64-YEAR-OLD Ellesmere Port microlight pilot who was badly injured after crashing on landing has blamed himself, lack of wind and the weight of his passenger for the crash.
The 1995 built Mainair Blade microlight – registration G BYRP – owned by James Tegwyn Swannick and Anthony Charles Swannick of Ellesmere Port hit a tree whilst attempting to abort a landing at Guy Lane Farm, Waverton.
A passenger escaped with minor injuries but a recently published Air Accident Investigation Branch report says the pilot – who had more than 100 hours of flying experience – suffered severe injuries.
The tiny aircraft was landing after a flight from Arclid Airfield. However, the report says that, just before touchdown the pilot realised he was unlikely to be able to stop within the remaining length of runway, and applied power for ‘a go-around’.
The report continues : “The aircraft collided with the top of a tree at the edge of the field and collided with the tree, before falling approximately 15ft to the ground.
“The pilot sustained several fractures, including four vertebrae fractures, and the passenger sustained minor injuries.”
It concludes: “The pilot, who is likely to make a near full recovery, considered that the aircraft’s climb performance was less than he expected possibly due to the lack of head wind, the additional weight of the passenger and his late decision to go around.”
