Small aircraft took off by itself and flew out to sea, accident report reveals

Two-seat microlight took off after pilot decided to hand start rear propeller at airfield in Northumberland

A small but gutsy aircraft took off by itself from a grass strip north of Newcastle and was tracked by radar flying to freedom over the North Sea earlier this year, according to a report submitted to the UK’s air accident agency.

The latest monthly bulletin from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said the pilot had planned to fly the two-seat microlight but, with a flat battery rendering the electric start inoperational, they decided to hand start the propeller, which is located at the back.