What happened
On 11 March 2016, a Gardan GY80-160 Horizon, registration G-TIMY, was conducting a private flight departing from Coventry Airport. During the initial pre-flight inspections, the pilot identified water in the fuel drain samples. Following a procedure the pilot considered routine for this specific aircraft, the fuel was drained and sampled repeatedly until clear fuel was obtained. This process was continued after refuelling to ensure no further contamination remained.
After departing from Runway 23, the aircraft completed all standard takeoff and climb-out procedures without issue. However, upon reaching an altitude of 2,000 ft, the engine began to run roughly. The pilot activated the fuel pump and notified Air Traffic Control of the intention to return to Coventry. Despite these efforts, the engine RPM continued to drop until the engine ceased operation. An attempt to restart the engine using a different fuel tank was unsuccessful, as the aircraft was unable to maintain its altitude.
To manage the descent, the pilot selected a nearby field for an emergency landing. The decision was made to keep the landing gear retracted to assist with the glide range and to mitigate risks associated with the ground conditions. The aircraft landed in the field, sustaining damage to the propeller, engine, lower fuselage, and landing gear. There were no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of events leading from the discovery of water during pre-flight checks to the eventual engine failure. The investigation also looked into the pilot's actions regarding fuel management and the decision-making process during the emergency descent.