The crash happened just moments after take-off
Sophie Fagone Buscimese Trainee Reporter
14:09, 02 Apr 2026
Edward Browne and James Litchfield both died at the scene at Darley Moor racetrack on Tuesday, April 8, 2025.
An aircraft which crashed seconds after take-off in Ashbourne, killing two people, was more than 30 kilograms too heavy, investigators have found.
The Hoffmann H36 Dimona crashed at Darley Moor racetrack near Ashbourne moments after take-off on April 8, 2025, killing both its pilot, 66-year-old Edward Browne and passenger, 64-year-old James Litchfield.
The accident happened during an introductory flight experience which had been bought for Mr Litchfield by a family member, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said.
A report from investigators has found that a few moments after take-off, while the Hoffmann H36 Dimona was at a very low level, it was seen swaying from side to side before it fell around 100ft-150ft to the ground nose first.
The crash happened on Darley Moor near Ashbourne.
In the newly-published report into the disaster, the AAIB said: “The impact forces were unsurvivable for both pilot and passenger.”
However, the investigation has not been able to determine why the aircraft did not climb normally or why the pilot – who had more than 17,000 hours of flying experience – could not carry out a successful forced landing.
The AAIB said no technical issues that would have limited the engine performance were found, but a throttle reduction could have been a possibility.
Investigations into the circumstances of the crash uncovered that no weight or balance calculations were made by the pilot on the day of the incident and the daily inspection book had not been signed ahead of the day’s flight either.
The aircraft had a maximum payload of 170.6kg, though an error in its most recent weighing report stated the limit was at 184kg.
During the investigation, the AAIB found that the aircraft’s payload during the fatal accident flight was approximately 206kg – nearly 36kg heavier than it should have been.
This has been classed as a “contributory” factor into the crash.
Safety action at the operating club has been taken in the wake of the crash, with the club amending its flight booking process. This means those wanting to book a flight have to complete a flight waiver form and fill in data online, and their weight will be checked before the flights.
The British Gliding Association has also written to its member clubs highlighting the importance of flight preparation.
The Association also plans to issue a notice to its inspectors highlighting the need to identify all relevant information when producing weighing reports.