Accident Summary
On 4 August 2017 at 1106 UTC, a privately operated Europa aircraft, registration G-BZTH, suffered an engine failure while on a cross-country flight near Parsons Barn, Long Compton, Warwickshire. The pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. The forward fuselage was distorted and fractured aft of the firewall.
Flight History
The pilot was flying from Enstone to an airstrip near Gloucester under conditions of good visibility and a westerly breeze. Approximately eight miles northwest of Enstone, at an estimated altitude of 1,900 feet above ground level, the engine failed and would not restart. The pilot selected a suitable field and managed to touch down at the intended point.
After a short ground roll, the aircraft decelerated violently and came to a halt. The pilot exited through the door and observed ground ridges that were not visible from the air. The aircraft had landed across the ridges, and one of these ridges caused the deceleration and damage to the aircraft.
Post-Accident Discovery
Following recovery of the aircraft, the pilot discovered that the engine oil drain plug was missing and the engine had seized due to lack of lubrication. Prior to the flight, the pilot had changed the engine oil with assistance from a friend. The oil was drained, and the aircraft was left unattended before being refilled and an engine run carried out to check oil pressure. No oil leak was observed after the run, but it appeared the oil plug was not refitted correctly, possibly due to miscommunication, and it became detached during the flight, allowing the oil to escape.