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The Curious Case of the Unmanned Take-offs

It sounds like something straight out of a film: a small aircraft throttling down the runway, suddenly gaining lift and soaring into the air—only there’s no one at the controls. Yet, these incidents really do happen, and one such event was recently highlighted in an AAIB (Air Accidents Investigation Branch) report dated 3 October 2024. While undeniably rare, it’s a reminder that aviation, particularly in the microlight world, can serve up some truly astonishing surprises.


The Latest Incident: A Microlight Heads Out to Sea


On 3 October 2024, a Pegasus Quantum 15 microlight (registration G-MYZJ) took off from Athey’s Moor Airfield in Northumberland with no pilot on board. According to the AAIB summary, the aircraft battery was flat, so the pilot attempted to hand start the engine from outside the aircraft. Flex wing microlights feature a pusher propellor, which is located behind the pilot’s seating position. This design means the pilot is behind the aircraft when swinging the propellor by hand, helping keep them clear of the spinning blades.

Unfortunately, once the engine fired up, the microlight accelerated away—presumably because the throttle was at or near full power—and climbed into the sky before anyone could stop it. The unmanned aircraft was then tracked by radar as it headed towards the coast north of Newcastle, ultimately flying out to sea and vanishing from radar. It’s presumed to have crashed into the water, with no injuries reported on the ground. Nonetheless, the notion of a single-seat microlight launching itself and disappearing over the horizon remains both fascinating and surreal.

AAIB details an aircraft incident on 3 Oct 2024. A pilot hand-started an engine, but it flew off alone and crashed into the sea. Location: Northumberland.
AAIB Bulletin Excerpt

Pegasus Quantum G-MYZJ pictured in 2016, courtesy of Flickr


Another Case in 2012


Remarkably, this isn’t the first time a flex wing microlight has managed to fly without a pilot. Back in 2012, a Flash 2 Alpha microlight took off unaccompanied after the pilot tried repeatedly to start the engine. Each time it failed to catch, the pilot advanced the throttle slightly more—until, on the final try, the throttle setting was nearly at full power when the engine finally roared to life.

Alarmingly, the accelerating aircraft rolled over the pilot’s leg before climbing into the sky. In an extraordinary turn of events, the microlight then performed two complete loops before stalling and crashing to the ground in a ball of flames. I was on the airfield that day and watched as it all unfolded. By the time I approached the scene of the crash, much of the had burnt away to dust, leaving little more than blackened debris. Fortunately, the pilot survived with relatively minor injuries.

Man approaches a small plane on fire in a grassy field, with smoke rising into the sky. Sparse trees in the background, mood tense.
Gemini Flash IIA G-MVSN became airborne without a pilot in 2012

Why Does This Happen?


When the throttle is left near full power—intentionally or by oversight—while hand-starting, there’s a risk the aircraft may surge forward before the pilot can climb aboard or reduce power. With enough open space in front, it might become airborne on its own. No one is pointing fingers at the pilots involved; these incidents remind us that even small misjudgements or mechanical hiccups can create a remarkable spectacle.


The Role of Threat and Error Management (TEM)


A key concept in aviation safety is Threat and Error Management (TEM). While often associated with commercial airline operations, these same principles apply equally to simpler aircraft like flex wing microlights. In fact, the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) and the British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) have integrated TEM into the training syllabuses for both the PPL and NPPL (Microlight) licences, underscoring its importance even at the lighter end of aviation.


At its core, TEM is about identifying potential threats—such as a flat battery prompting an awkward outside start—then managing the threat to prevent a minor oversight from turning into a serious incident. During routine steps like starting an engine, pilots can apply TEM by double-checking throttle positions, following a clear start-up checklist, and considering any help that might be needed if the engine is unwilling to start. By taking these extra precautions, threats and errors can be caught early—before they link together into the kind of dramatic event that leaves an aircraft flying off unmanned.


A Sobering but Fascinating Tale


Both unmanned take-offs—the one in 2012 and the more recent escapade—illustrate just how startling aviation can be when something goes awry. Few sights are stranger than a microlight flying on its own, but these episodes also underscore our collective responsibility to stay vigilant and methodical.


While such events are thankfully very rare, they do tend to capture our attention. They prompt us to re-examine our procedures, remind us why thorough training (and a sound grasp of TEM) is paramount, and encourage us to share the lessons learned widely. In the end, these stories reinforce one principle above all else: an aircraft should never find itself airborne without a pilot on board—no matter how flat the battery might be or how stubborn the engine is to start.


Disclaimer: The aim here is not to judge or lay blame on any individual. These incidents serve as reminders that oversights can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Aviation, particularly at the lighter end of the spectrum, is both thrilling and unforgiving if key procedures are overlooked. By applying Threat and Error Management at every stage—from pre-flight to engine start to taxi—you can help ensure that what happens in the air is always under human control, and never left to chance.


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