The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has revealed shocking details about a deadly microlight crash at Sheepbridge Industrial Estate, Chesterfield. A Sportstar SLM microlight flew straight into thick cloud and spiralled out of control, killing the 71-year-old pilot instantly.
The plane took off from Coal Aston Airstrip at 7.56am on 1 September 2024. Poor visibility and heavy cloud closed in fast. CCTV and GPS tracked several tight right turns south of the airfield before the aircraft headed toward Chesterfield. It made two more descending circles before plummeting at a staggering speed of over 11,200 feet per minute. The crash occurred at 08:04 UTC, instantly sparking a fatal fire.
Poor Weather Ignored – Pilot ‘Spatially Disorientated’
The AAIB confirmed visibility was just 400 to 600 metres at takeoff—well below safe limits for visual flight. Trees were barely visible through the murk. Near Chesterfield, the microlight’s speed rocketed to 178 knots before it nosedived with a terrifying descent rate of 5,250 feet per minute. A brief climb followed the dive, then the fatal plunge.
The wreckage showed the engine was running and no mechanical faults were found. Propeller damage indicated the plane hit the ground at high revs. The pilot, holding a UK NPPL microlight licence with around 390 hours logged—but crucially no instrument flying rating—had rushed his departure to avoid later storms.
Handwritten cockpit notes revealed he was aware of low clouds and planned an early flight. But the AAIB believes he became spatially disorientated inside the cloud, losing control.
AAIB Issues Stark Warning to Pilots
The AAIB report echoes the Civil Aviation Authority’s advice: legal visual flight limits are strict “limits, not targets.” Pilots without instrument training face deadly risks when plunging into poor visibility conditions known as Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC). The report references fresh CAA guidance on avoiding and handling unintended cloud entries.
Tragic Crash Caused by Pilot Flying Beyond His Skill Set
The official AAIB conclusion is blunt: the crash was caused by loss of control after flying into weather conditions beyond the pilot’s experience and qualifications. No technical faults contributed. The full investigation report was published on 2 October 2025.
This dreadful accident sends a clear message to all microlight flyers: respect the weather, stick to your limits—and never fly blind.
