Accident G-CCPC
Accident involving a Pegasus Quik (G-CCPC) at East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian.
AAIB Report: Pegasus Quik (G-CCPC), Fatal accident, 1 June 2022
Safety Recommendation: 2023-037
It is recommended that the UK Civil Aviation Authority issue a Mandatory Permit Directive to mandate Pegasus Sport Aviation Ltd Service Bulletin 159 to embody a Starter Inhibitor Switch on all in-service Pegasus Sport Aviation Ltd aircraft.
The CAA has now issued a Mandatory Permit Directive MPD 2024-003: Pegasus Sport Aviation Ltd Quik, QuikR, Quik GTR, GT450 and Quantum microlights: Engine Ignition – Starter Inhibitor Switch – Modification on 18th December 2024 which requires all electric start Pegasus Quik, QuikR, Quik GTR, GT450, and Quantum aircraft to comply with the updated Pegasus Sport Aviation Ltd Service Bulletin (SB) 159.
MPD compliance is required no later than 25 hours or 6 months from the effective date of the MPD, whichever occurs first.
Adequate - Closed
N/A
AAIB Recommendation transmittal
Date
30/11/2023
Status
Open
CAA Initial Update
Date
23/02/2024
The CAA accepts this Safety Recommendation.
The CAA is liaising with the British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) to ensure that Pegasus Sport Aviation Ltd Service Bulletin 159 is complete and correct in its current form. Once this is confirmed the CAA will issue a Mandatory Permit Directive (MPD) to mandate Pegasus Sport Aviation Ltd Service Bulletin 159 for all affected Pegasus Quik and Quantum aircraft.
The CAA will provide an update on the actions taken to address this safety recommendation by the end of June 2024.
Status
Open
AAIB Classification
Date
28/03/2024
Status
Adequate - Open
CAA Update
Date
28/06/2024
The CAA is liaising with the British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) to ensure that Pegasus Sport Aviation Ltd Service Bulletin (SB) 159 is complete and correct in its current form. Once this is confirmed and the CAA receives the updated SB, a Mandatory Permit
Directive (MPD) will be issued, requiring all affected Pegasus Quik and Quantum aircraft to comply with the SB.
The CAA will provide an update on the actions taken to address this safety recommendation by the end of August 2024.
AAIB Classification
Date
22/08/2024
The CAA has recently received the updated Pegasus Sport Aviation Ltd Service Bulletin (SB) 159 and is liaising with the British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) to ensure it is acceptable. The CAA has begun drafting a Mandatory Permit Directive (MPD) requiring all electric start Pegasus Quik, QuikR, Quik GTR, GT450, and Quantum aircraft to comply with the updated SB.
The CAA will provide an update on the actions taken to address this safety recommendation by the end of December 2024.
CAA Update
Date
The CAA has now issued a Mandatory Permit Directive MPD 2024-003: Pegasus Sport Aviation Ltd Quik, QuikR, Quik GTR, GT450 and Quantum microlights: Engine Ignition – Starter Inhibitor Switch – Modification on 18th December 2024 which requires all electric start Pegasus Quik, QuikR, Quik GTR, GT450, and Quantum aircraft to comply with the updated Pegasus Sport Aviation Ltd Service Bulletin (SB) 159.
MPD compliance is required no later than 25 hours or 6 months from the effective date of the MPD, whichever occurs first.
The CAA action above fulfils the intent of our original response to this safety recommendation.
AAIB Classification
Date
30/01/2025
Status
Adequate - Closed
Safety Recommendation: 2023-038
It is recommended that the UK Civil Aviation Authority review the suitability of the Configuration Specific Provision in British Civil Airworthiness Requirements, Section S 1307 (a) Miscellaneous equipment which states, ‘except that only a lap strap need be provided for front seat occupants of a weight-shift controlled aircraft’.
The CAA has recently been engaging with relevant stakeholders in a dedicated working group, to review and update BCAR Section S. The next meeting is scheduled for July 2026. This is focusing on taking forward the proposed amendment to BCAR Section S 1307 (a), removing the exception that allows weight-shift controlled aircraft to be designed with only a lap strap for front-seat occupants. When the working group concludes its work, changes to BCAR Section S will be subject to the usual rulemaking process and will be publicly consulted on.
The CAA will provide an update on the actions taken to address this safety recommendation by 31st December 2026.
Adequate - Open
December 2026
AAIB Recommendation transmittal
Date
30/11/2023
Status
Open
CAA Initial Update
Date
23/02/2024
The CAA accepts this Safety Recommendation.
The CAA has coordinated with the BMAA to assess the suitability of British Civil Airworthiness Requirements (BCAR) Section S 1307 (a), as currently worded, which allows weight-shift controlled aircraft to be designed with only a lap strap for front seat occupants.
Both the CAA and BMAA consider that a change to S 1307 (a) to remove the aforementioned exception for weight-shift aircraft is justified. The next review of BCAR Section S is scheduled to take place in 2025 and will include a proposal to amend S 1307 (a) such that upper torso restraint (UTR) will be required for all occupants. In the meantime, any applicant seeking UK type acceptance/approval for a new weight-shift controlled aircraft will be advised of the forthcoming change to S 1307 (a) and encouraged to include UTR for all seats, if not already part of the design, in advance of the update to BCAR Section S coming into force.
Although most weight-shift controlled aircraft do have upper torso restraints available for front seat occupants, the CAA acknowledges that a culture of not wearing them is pervasive within the flex-wing community. The CAA recognises the positive steps taken by the Microlight Panel of Examiners and the BMAA to change this culture, as evidenced by the guidance that both have published, which is highlighted in the AAIB report for G-CCPC.
The CAA considers the above actions satisfy the intent of the safety recommendation.
Status
Open
AAIB Classification
Date
28/03/2024
Status
Adequate - Open
CAA Update
Date
29/05/2025
The CAA can confirm that we are at the initial stages of forming a working group, comprising relevant stakeholders, to review and update BCAR Section S. This will include taking forward the proposed amendment to BCAR Section S 1307 (a), removing the exception that allows weight-shift controlled aircraft to be designed with only a lap strap for front-seat occupants. The changes to BCAR Section S will be subject to the usual rulemaking process and will be publicly consulted on.
The CAA will provide a further update by the end of November 2025.
AAIB Classification
Date
14/07/2025
Status
Adequate - Open
CAA Update
Date
28/11/2025
The CAA have formed a working group comprising relevant stakeholders, to review and update BCAR Section S. This working group has met three times, and good progress is being made to the next amendment to Section S. The changes to paragraph S 1307 (a) to support this recommendation, as per our previous update, have been agreed by the working group. As soon as the other proposed changes to Section S have been agreed, we shall be moving forward towards a public consultation and then formal amendment. We anticipate publication of the next amendment to Section S in mid-2026.
The CAA will provide an update on the actions taken to address this safety recommendation by the end of June 2026.
AAIB Classification
Date
18/12/2025
Status
Adequate - Open
CAA Update
Date
30/06/2026
The CAA has recently been engaging with relevant stakeholders in a dedicated working group, to review and update BCAR Section S. The next meeting is scheduled for July 2026. This is focusing on taking forward the proposed amendment to BCAR Section S 1307 (a), removing the exception that allows weight-shift controlled aircraft to be designed with only a lap strap for front-seat occupants. When the working group concludes its work, changes to BCAR Section S will be subject to the usual rulemaking process and will be publicly consulted on.
The CAA will provide an update on the actions taken to address this safety recommendation by 31st December 2026.
AAIB Classification
Date
20/07/2026
Status
Adequate - Open