What happened
On 15 September 2016, an Albatros DV.a, registration ZK-TGY, was conducting a private flight near Bethersden, Kent, while returning from an aviation event in France. The aircraft, a 2015 reproduction of a German World War I fighter, was being operated by a UK-based organisation on loan from a New Zealand company.
As the aircraft approached its destination, approximately 4 miles from the airfield, the Mercedes D.111 engine began to run unevenly before failing completely. The pilot attempted to perform a forced landing; however, during the final approach, the aircraft struck a hedge. The impact caused the aircraft to come to rest in an inverted position. The pilot sustained no injuries, though the airframe and wings suffered significant structural damage.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the accident report submitted by the pilot. Data indicated that prior to the engine failure, all critical engine parameters, including fuel pressure and water temperature, appeared normal. There was sufficient fuel remaining in the tanks at the time of the incident.
It was noted that the aircraft had undergone recent maintenance, including a propeller replacement, following a landing incident three flights earlier. The investigation established that the specific reason for the engine's loss of power could not be determined on-site. The operator planned to transport the aircraft back to New Zealand to facilitate a more detailed technical examination of the engine.