Aircraft and Flight Details
On 28 June 2021 at 1530 UTC, an Aeroprakt A32 Vixxen (registration G-CLEH, serial no. LAA 411-15590) departed Rossall Airfield, Lancashire, for a private flight. The single-engine aircraft, powered by a Rotax 912ULS piston engine and manufactured in 2019, carried a crew of one and one passenger. No injuries were reported. The pilot, aged 71, held a Light Aircraft Pilot’s Licence and had logged 481 flying hours, of which 144 were on type. He had flown 16 hours in the previous 90 days and 7 hours in the previous 28 days.
Fuel Valve Configuration
The aircraft featured a fuel tank in each wing, each with a valve situated behind the seats at shoulder level on either side of the cockpit. During the flight, the pilot closed the left fuel valve to balance fuel consumption, as more fuel had been used from that tank. After landing, he decided to conduct several circuits and taxied back to the runway while configuring the aircraft. Just before commencing takeoff, he recalled that he had closed a fuel valve; he reached behind the seat and moved a fuel valve handle.
Engine Failure and Forced Landing
Shortly after takeoff, at approximately 100 ft above ground level, the engine stopped. The pilot initiated a forced landing in a field. During the landing, the nosewheel collapsed and the propeller was damaged. After securing the aircraft, the pilot discovered that both fuel tank valves were in the closed position.
Damage
The aircraft sustained a collapsed nosewheel and propeller damage.