The cause of a plane crash that occurred last summer at Cotswold Airport which led to two people being injured has now been revealed by investigators.
In August 2022, a light aircraft overshot the runway, striking a parked airliner and hitting some trees, leaving the plane to arrive in a ditch adjacent to the A429.
The two passengers - a student and instructor - were taken to hospital following the incident and were treated for injuries there.
A report has now been issued by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) documenting the findings of their investigation team.
Inspectors found that confusion between the student and instructor about who was in control lead to the crash.
“A go-around was mishandled as a result of a confused handover of control between student and instructor,” the report stated.
“The go-around actions were not effectively instigated, and the aircraft diverged from the runway at low height and speed.
“During an attempted go-around the aircraft veered left from the runway track. The instructor was unable to establish a climb and the aircraft touched down approximately 350 m from the end of the runway, tracking approximately perpendicular to the left of the runway track.
“As the aircraft touched down it passed between two parked, out of use, airliners and its right wing tip struck the nose landing gear of one of the parked aircraft. The outer portion of the right wing was severed and the aircraft continued across the grass.
“It passed through the airfield perimeter fence, crossed the A429 road and came to rest in a ditch adjacent to the road.
"There had been a confused handover of control between student and instructor that meant the go-around actions were not completed effectively.
“This resulted in the aircraft flying at very low height at an airspeed that was probably below the minimum power speed, leaving it with insufficient power to climb away.”
A go-around refers to an aborted landing in the aviation world.
The student carried out all of the pre-flight checks including the engine start but the report notes that there was an issue at this point.
“On the first attempt the engine immediately cut out as the fuel cock had been left at shut off,” stated the report.
“The engine started successfully on the second attempt and the subsequent taxi out and power checks were uneventful.”
As well as the confusion, a combination of low airspeed and height led to the crash.
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