Accident Overview
On 28 July 2020, a Europa aircraft (registration G-BXTD) experienced an engine failure during climb after takeoff from Enstone Airfield, Oxfordshire. The flight was a private familiarization flight with an instructor and the aircraft owner on board. While turning right at about 520 ft agl following noise abatement procedures, the engine rpm rapidly decreased over approximately five seconds and then stopped. The instructor took control, conducted a forced landing in a field, and both occupants exited uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage to the right wing, undercarriage strut, flaps, and fuselage aft of the wing.
Flight History
The aircraft had been removed from its trailer and reassembled. The engine had only been run for 44 minutes since the permit check flight in December 2019. The instructor briefed the owner on emergency procedures. After engine start and taxi to Runway 26S, power checks were normal. The takeoff roll was slightly longer than expected, attributed to grass resistance, slope, and weight near maximum. Climb rate was 800 ft/min at 200 ft agl. At 520 ft agl, the engine lost power. The instructor selected a field, pitched nose down to maintain airspeed, and the owner attempted restart but the propeller did not move. The instructor shut off switches and landed, braking hard to avoid a hedgerow. Emergency services attended but no injuries occurred.
Accident Site
The aircraft traveled about 50 meters through crops. Damage included the right outrigger undercarriage, wing, flap, aileron, and cracks in the rear fuselage and tail section. The cockpit area was undamaged.
Aircraft Background
Built in 2000, the aircraft had a previous propeller strike in 2013, after which the propeller was replaced and the engine shock-load tested. It was stored from 2013 to 2019. The new owner restored it with guidance from the manufacturer and an engineer. The permit check flight was completed in December 2019 without incident, followed by two flights in February 2020. No further flights occurred until the accident.
Engine Examination
Externally, a small oil trail from the breather was noted; oil and coolant levels were full. The propeller could only rotate 15°, indicating the crankshaft was jammed. The oil pipe from the cooler to the pump had a sharp 90° bend that narrowed its cross-section. Bench testing showed this created an oval shape but not a kink, and the aircraft had flown several times with this configuration. Internal inspection revealed dents on piston crowns matching inlet valves, coated with carbon deposits, indicating prior valve-piston contact. The No. 4 piston had cylinder head contact marks. The crankcase showed a failed No. 4 connecting rod at the crankshaft, with impact marks on adjacent parts. Corrosion pitting was found on piston sides.
Analysis and Conclusion
The cause of the engine stoppage could not be positively determined. The oil pipe restriction was considered unlikely to be the major factor because oil was present in working parts and the aircraft had flown without issues. The valve impact marks suggested a previous overspeed event, likely from the propeller strike, and corrosion pitting indicated a corrosive environment from extended non-use. The combination of corrosion and prior mechanical damage was considered more likely to have led to a fatigue failure of the No. 4 connecting rod. The owner acknowledged that the propeller strike history should have been given greater weight when planning the restoration maintenance.