Scale Replica Crashed in August 2023 Near Oxfordshire, Killing the Pilot

On March 6, an inquest jury published a statement indicating that a fatal 2023 crash was “more likely than not” caused by the pilot having a medical episode. He was testing his homebuilt Spitfire replica when the accident occurred.

The aircraft was a kit Supermarine Spitfire MK26B, a 90% scale replica of the original. It was built in 2019 and named ‘Molly’ by experienced pilot and Light Aircraft Association member Trevor Bailey.

On August 22, 2023, the 68-year-old of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, took ‘Molly’ out for a test flight. Bystanders then watched as the aircraft’s right wing dropped and a spin developed, causing a rapid descent into the ground. It crashed and burst into flames next to the A44 near Enstone, Oxfordshire, in England. Bailey was declared dead on the scene.

The UK’s Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) completed a report in June 2024 with inconclusive findings. They did not rule out potential connections to Bailey’s medical history, which included heart disease and a heart attack in 2005. Investigators also noted that, while it was likely not the root cause of the crash, the aircraft had a “misaligned fin and rudder” that could have caused a spin to develop during the stall.

"This misalignment made a wing drop at the stall more likely, but it did not prevent or restrict a recovery from the stall nor any subsequent spin or spiral dive that might develop,” the report stated. “There was sufficient height for a recovery from a spin or spiral dive."

Forensic pathologist Dr Brett Lockyer noted that there were burns covering Bailey’s body, but no soot in his lungs or evidence of carbon monoxide. There were also no signs of a recent health deterioration, though Dr Lockyer expressed that there was a “possibility” that prior heart issues played a role.

An inquest jury continued examining the case and has now revealed that the accident was “more likely than not” tied to a medical episode. This may have caused Bailey to lose control of the aircraft and be unable to recover from the spin.

FMI: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/air-accidents-investigation-branch