What happened
On 6 September 2016, a Flylight Dragonlite Fox, registration G-CIEK, was conducting a private flight near Moor Farm in Chickerell, Weymouth. Following standard pre-flight procedures and an engine run-up, the pilot departed the airfield. In compliance with engine running-in protocols, the pilot reduced power slightly after takeoff and began a shallow climbing turn.
During this maneuver, the Polini Thor 250 engine ceased operation abruptly and without prior indication. The pilot identified a flat, unobstructed stubble field as a suitable landing site. While attempting to cross a hedge, the pilot applied a right bank to counteract drift. The aircraft subsequently struck the soft ground with significant force, impacting nosewheel first, followed by the right wheel. The aircraft came to a halt approximately 15 feet from the initial impact point. The pilot sustained serious injuries, specifically a fractured vertebra, after sliding beneath the lap belts during the deceleration.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of the engine failure and the pilot's control inputs during the forced landing. Investigators noted that the pilot had limited experience on this specific aircraft type, with only 7 hours of flight time on the Flylight Dragonlite Fox.
Analysis of the landing technique revealed that the pilot's actions during the flare were influenced by previous experience in 3-axis aircraft. Rather than pushing the controls forward to level the aircraft, the pilot pulled back on the controls. This error contributed to the nosewheel striking the ground first. Due to the extent of the damage to the landing gear, front strut, keel, and fuel tank, a full engine test could not be performed immediately following the accident.