What happened
On 3 January 2015, an Alpi Pioneer registered aircraft departed from the Isle of Wight area, heading toward the mainland. During the flight, the aircraft encountered deteriorating weather conditions, including low cloud and reduced visibility. As the aircraft approached the area near Popham, the pilot was forced to navigate through low clouds, significantly reducing visibility.
While operating near Popham, the aircraft experienced a sudden engine failure. The aircraft descended into trees and impacted the ground, resulting in the deaths of all occupants. The investigation revealed that the aircraft was flying in conditions that made visual reference to the ground difficult, and the engine ceased producing power during the final stages of the flight.
Investigation findings
An investigation into the accident revealed that the aircraft's engine failure was linked to a malfunction in the turbocharger system. Specifically, a wire in the engine's wiring harness had become chafed, leading to an electrical issue. This malfunction occurred while the aircraft was in flight, causing the engine to lose power.
Evidence suggests that the pilot was attempting to navigate through low cloud cover, which likely contributed to the difficulty in managing the emergency. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's turbocharger system was subject to an electrical fault that could have been prevented with more rigorous inspection of the wiring harness.
Conclusion
The investigation concluded that the engine failure was the primary cause of the accident. The electrical fault in the wiring harness led to the loss of engine power, leaving the pilot with insufficient time and altitude to perform a controlled forced landing. The presence of low cloud cover further complicated the pilot's ability to identify a suitable landing site and maintain visual reference to the ground.