What happened
On 15 April 2015, a Bristell NG5 Speed Wing, registration G-GARD, was conducting its very first flight. The aircraft, powered by a single Jabiru 3300 piston engine, had undergone several pre-flight checks, including engine ground runs and fast taxi tests. During these preparations, the pilot verified the functionality of the fuel tanks and the carburetor heat system.
After successfully taking off and climbing to 1,000 ft, the pilot deactivated the electric fuel boost pump. While flying downwind for a planned low approach and subsequent go-around, the engine experienced a sudden loss of power. In an attempt to restore power, the pilot switched to the alternative fuel tank and reactivated the electric fuel pump, but the engine failed to restart. Unable to return to the airfield, the pilot performed an emergency landing in a small field in Nutfield, near Redhill Aerodrome. The impact was heavy, causing the aircraft to be damaged beyond economic repair, though the pilot escaped the crash without any injuries.
The investigation
Following the accident, the AAIB investigated the circumstances of the engine failure. An engineer with specific expertise in the engine type performed an inspection of the Jabiru 3300 unit. The engine was subsequently removed from the aircraft and tested on a rig. During this testing, the engine operated successfully after the installation of new ignition coils.
Findings
- The engine failure occurred during the aircraft's maiden flight.
- The pilot was unable to restart the engine despite switching fuel sources and engaging the fuel pump.
- The investigation could not definitively establish the exact reason for the engine stoppage, but identified fuel starvation or a simultaneous failure of both ignition coils as the most likely contributing factors.