Pilot killed in Retford plane crash 'most likely experienced medical episode'

An elderly pilot who died during an aeroplane crash "most likely" experienced a medical episode, an investigation has concluded. The man, who was the only person on board the light aircraft - a Eurofox 912(S) - was aged 75 and had 719 hours of flying experience.

The crash took place approximately one mile to the east of Darlton Airfield, near Retford, at 11.15am on July 26, 2023. According to a report published by Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB), the pilot, who has not been named, had embarked on three other flights the same morning.

Following the successful tow and release of a glider at 3,000ft, the aircraft G-CIEF began a descent to return to the departure airfield. The initial descent, during which the aircraft was in a right turn, appeared normal and consistent with previous flights.

However, passing through 1,000ft, the aircraft entered a left turn away from the final approach path for the airfield. The aircraft remained in a descending left turn until it struck a field.

The AAIB report, published on Thursday, November 21, revealed that no evidence of a technical malfunction was found and the crash could have been prompted by the pilot experiencing medical incapacitation. The report reads: "There was insufficient evidence for the investigation to determine the cause of the accident with certainty.

"Taking into account the absence of any identified technical defects, the final flight path, post-mortem report and the pilot’s medical history, the investigation determined that the pilot most likely experienced a partial or full medical incapacitation which resulted in his inability to continue to fly the aircraft." The report added that there was no fire at the scene and fuel was recovered from both wing tanks.

Dashcam footage showed the aircraft tumbling several times before coming to rest. The time between the aircraft starting the final left turn and striking the ground was about 30 seconds. The report added that the weather conditions at the time of the incident were "good".