Trees near runway a factor in plane crash - report

The Socata TB-20 Trinidad had been flown to Langham airfield from Nottingham

Trees close to a runway were a likely factor in a light aircraft crash that seriously injured three people, an investigation has found.

A Socata TB-20 Trinidad crashed soon after take-off at Langham Airfield, near Blakeney, Norfolk, on 10 October 2023.

A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said the plane had drifted to the left and struck trees, then descended and crashed.

"The position of the trees, in relation to the runway, was less than that recommended," the report added.

The investigation found turbulent air from the trees and a tailstrike on the runway at take-off were likely to have contributed.

The pilot and his two passengers had flown to Langham from Nottingham earlier in the day, and were setting off for the return flight when the accident happened.

An eyewitness saw the aircraft "tip to the left" and passengers felt a shunt to the left, as if the aircraft had hit something or encountered a gust of wind, the report said, with the pilot applying "corrective control inputs".

"As the aircraft became level with the top of trees alongside the runway's edge, the left wingtip dropped and struck several trees," the report said.

"The aircraft descended steeply and came to rest on its left side."

The crash site was close to Langham Dome Museum on Cockthorpe Road

The passengers escaped out of the broken windscreen with the help of bystanders, who then forced the right door open to free the pilot.

All three were taken to hospital by emergency services.

The AAIB found the unlicensed airfield - which can operate but has restrictions - was described as "not suitable for inexperienced pilots due to obstructions".

The 47-year-old pilot had 121 hours of flying experience and conducted detailed pre-flight planning, seeking advice and visiting the airfield in advance, the investigation found.

The distance between the left wingtip and the trees was 5.5m (18ft), with the Civil Aviation Authority recommending a non-mandatory minimum distance of 15m (49ft), the report said.

Concluding its report, the AAIB said pilots flying to unfamiliar or unlicensed airfields were encouraged to consider features close to a runway "in the event of an unexpected flight situation developing".