What happened
On 19 July 2015, a Glos-Airtourer Series 115 Airtourer, registration G-AZRP, was conducting a private sightseeing flight near Llangorse. The pilot had departed from Shobdon under CAVOK weather conditions and had completed all standard pre-flight inspections. During a full-throttle climb toward an intended altitude of 2,000 ft, the engine suddenly stopped without any prior indication of malfunction or rough running.
Following the loss of power, the pilot attempted restart procedures, but these were unsuccessful. Due to the low altitude and the aircraft's limited glide capability, the pilot was forced to select from a small number of available sloping fields. While attempting to reach a preferred landing site, the aircraft stalled at a low height with the flaps in the up position, impacting a field prior to the intended target. The impact resulted in substantial damage to the aircraft, rendering it a total loss. The pilot sustained serious injuries during the crash.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and the circumstances surrounding the engine failure. Post-accident inspections of the fuel system revealed that 40 litres of fuel remained in an intact fuel tank. Examination of the magnetos and spark plugs showed no defects. The investigation found no identifiable cause for the sudden engine failure.
Findings
- The engine failure occurred without warning or preceding symptoms.
- The lack of altitude at the time of the failure restricted the pilot's options for a safe forced landing.
- The aircraft's glide performance was insufficient to reach the preferred landing area from the height at which the stall occurred.