AAIB investigation to Druine D.62B Condor, G-AXGV
Aircraft stalled in lee of trees on the approach to land, Croft Airfield, North Yorkshire, 20 March 2025
The accident occurred on the approach to land during a biennial revalidation flight for the pilot flying, who was unfamiliar with the aircraft and the farm strip. The instructor was experienced with both the aircraft type and the farm strip.
After completing some general handling, the aircraft was flown back to the strip for a touch-and-go on Runway 27 with a forecast 5-10 kt crosswind from the left. The approach was made from a right hand circuit. The pilot was used to flying a biplane, so he decided to fly a curved tailwheel approach. As the aircraft descended below the tops of trees on the left of the approach to the runway, it started to drift toward the trees. The pilot flying turned the aircraft away from the trees, but one of the wings stalled, which rolled and pitched the aircraft nose-down. The stalled wing hit the ground, followed by the nose, before the aircraft came to rest upside down. The pilot recalled hitting his head twice on the canopy during this period.
Once the aircraft was made as safe as possible, they released themselves from their full harnesses. The pilot flying crawled out of the aircraft via the rear left window and lifted the left wing sufficiently for the instructor to exit the aircraft. They then called for assistance from the emergency services.
Although an initial assessment suggested they had sustained only minor injuries, further assessment at hospital found that both had suffered a neck vertebra fracture.
Download the report:
Download glossary of abbreviations: