Man killed in light aircraft crash was on gifted trip

One of two men killed in a light aircraft crash was on a gifted introductory flight experience, an air accident report has said.

Pilot Edward Browne, 66, and passenger James Litchfield, 64, died when the Hoffmann H36 Dimona crashed shortly after take-off at Darley Moor Airfield, Derbyshire, on 8 April 2025.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) added investigators could not identify why the aircraft crashed, but said its weight on take-off was a "contributory factor".

Investigators estimated the plane was more than 35kg (66lb) over the advised maximum weight of 170.6kg (376lb) when it took off.

The report, published on Thursday, said the crash took place on an introductory flight experience bought for passenger Litchfield by a family member.

Inspectors said moments after take-off, at low altitude, the aircraft was seen by witnesses to start swaying from side to side before it rolled rapidly right and fell to the ground.

The injuries sustained by the men were "unsurvivable", the AAIB added.

Recorded data showed that take-off from the runway went as expected, but the pilot was subsequently unable to maintain a safe climbing speed or trajectory.

The movement seen by witnesses was suggestive of an aircraft at or close to stalling, the report said.

Concluding the report, investigators said they were unable to determine why the aircraft did not climb normally, or what factors contributed to the pilot not being able to carry out a successful landing when the climb performance was not as expected.

The investigation did not find evidence of any technical issue that might have limited engine performance, and a study of the plane's controls found an accidental reduction in throttle by the pilot was "not likely".

The AAIB added a study found the "potential for fouling of the controls" meant "an inadvertent throttle reduction was a possibility".

The report said: "When the participants were seated in a relaxed posture, all controls on the lower centre console were fully or partially visually obscured and the controls on the left side of the centre console were partially physically obstructed by the right leg of the person in the left seat.

"Moving their right leg to the left to avoid obstructing these controls, resulted in the fouling of the centre column.

"In particular, the throttle control was positioned in the crook of the left seat occupant's knee and inadvertent movement was possible, for example if moving legs to avoid obstructing the rudder pedals."

Investigators also found that the aircraft's payload at take-off was approximately 206kg (454lb), more than 35kg (66lb) over the advised maximum weight.

Inspectors did not find a record of weight and balance calculations made by the pilot on the day of the crash and, although the pilot had been observed preparing the aircraft for flight, the daily inspection book for the plane had not been signed.

However, investigators said while the aircraft took off above its maximum approved weight, they found this to be a contributory - and not a causal - factor.

In response to the report, the AAIB said the flight operator, which has not been named in the report, had amended its flight booking processes, to require the completion of an online data capture and flight waiver form by customers before any flight experience was scheduled.

Boarding weights declared on those forms would then be checked at the airfield before a passenger's first flight.

The report added the British Gliding Association (BGA) wrote to its member clubs, reiterating guidance on introductory flights and highlighting the importance of flight preparation.

It also plans to issue a notice to all its inspectors highlighting the need to identify all relevant information, including a non-lifting parts limitation, when producing aircraft weighing reports.

Listen to BBC Radio Derby on Sounds and follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.