What happened
On 26 May 2021, a GY201 amateur-built aircraft, registration G-BEBR, was conducting a private flight near Lower Durston, Somerset. The pilot had recently taken ownership of the aircraft and intended to perform two circuits from a farm strip to practice using different flap configurations.
While flying the downwind leg at approximately 400 ft agl, the single Continental Motors Corp O-200-A engine began to misfire. This loss of power prevented the pilot from returning to the farm strip, necessitating an emergency field landing. As the pilot approached the landing site from the east, visibility was significantly reduced by the glare of the setting sun.
During the approach, the pilot attempted to deploy full flaps but discovered the flap handle was jammed. In the process of managing the situation, the pilot inadvertently pulled back on the control column, causing the aircraft to stall at a low altitude. The aircraft struck the ground heavily, causing damage to the landing gear and wing. The pilot sustained serious injuries and required hospitalisation.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the cause of the engine misfire and the mechanical failure of the flap system. While the pilot confirmed that adequate fuel was available, the specific cause of the engine's power loss remained undetermined.
Upon inspecting the aircraft following the impact, investigators discovered a plastic torch lodged within the port wing. This object had become jammed in the flap and aileron mechanism, which prevented the proper operation of the flaps.