Pilot crashed trying to ease pain of cramp

A light aircraft crashed after the solo pilot suffered cramp, an accident report has revealed.

The 59-year-old was taking off from Tatenhill Airfield in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, in June when he suffered a spasm in his right leg.

He extended his leg in an attempt to relieve the “excruciating pain” but this increased pressure on the pedals of the CEA DR221B Dauphin.

A report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch found this caused the aircraft to turn rapidly through 90 degrees.

Although it remained on the runway, the landing gear collapsed and the propeller hit the ground.