What happened
On 2 July 2011, a Gemini Flash IIA, registration G-MYKH, was participating in a cross-country microlight event flying from Donegal toward Bantry. While cruising at approximately 2,000 feet near Macroom, Co. Cork, the engine suddenly ceased operation. The pilot attempted to restart the engine by switching to the forward fuel tank, but the attempt failed.
Unable to maintain flight, the pilot identified a potential landing site but realized the aircraft would not reach the intended field without striking a rocky outcrop. To avoid the rocks, the pilot maneuvered the aircraft into a thicket of gorse and scrub. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, including a split crew pod, a snapped monopole, and a destroyed wing frame. Despite the severity of the impact, there were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
The AAIU examined the flight history, noting that the aircraft had experienced engine overheating during previous legs of the journey. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's documentation, finding that while the UK Permit to Fly was valid for Northern Ireland, it had not been specifically approved for flight in the Republic of Ireland. Additionally, the investigation found that the pilot's Irish PPL(M) was invalid due to an expired language proficiency component, and the pilot had failed to notify the AAIU of the accident directly.
Findings
- The engine stopped because the fuel change-over from the rear tank to the front tank was delayed until the rear tank was empty.
- Fuel starvation occurred because the pilot underestimated consumption, which had increased due to higher engine revs and stronger headwinds.
- An attempt to restart the engine failed because the incorrect primer bulb was used, which did not successfully purge air from the fuel lines.
- The landing was conducted in difficult terrain, and the pilot's inability to reach the intended field led to the heavy impact.