History of the Flight
The pilot and a passenger departed Damyns Hall Aerodrome, Essex, at 1018 hrs on a sightseeing flight. During the flight, the pilot noticed the engine was "struggling a little" and the cylinder head temperature was higher than usual. After landing at 1043 hrs, the pilot refuelled and prepared for a second flight.
At 1105 hrs, the aircraft took off from Runway 03. During the climb, the pilot realised the aircraft was not climbing as expected. At about 300 ft, he identified that the engine was not developing full power. The airspeed decreased from 60 kt to 50 kt, and the pilot raised the flaps. He then heard the engine go quiet and the aircraft stalled, entered a spin, and struck the ground in a wooded area approximately 900 m from the start of the takeoff roll.
Witness Observations
A flight instructor on the ground saw the aircraft climbing slowly with a nose-high attitude, described as "classic slow flight." The aircraft wobbled, then stalled and rolled to the right before descending. The pilots of another aircraft in the circuit also witnessed the accident and reported it to Southend Radar.
Injuries and Damage
Both occupants sustained serious injuries. The pilot suffered chest and leg injuries and was airlifted to hospital. The passenger broke ribs and bones in her back and received a severe laceration to her knee. The aircraft sustained extensive damage, including a crumpled cockpit floor and broken engine mounts. The propeller condition indicated it was not rotating or rotating slowly when it struck trees.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Jabiru UL-450, powered by a single Jabiru 2200A piston engine. It was not fitted with any recording devices. The transponder was not operating. Fuel from the intact tank was consistent with Aviation Gasoline 100LL and free from contaminants.
Investigative Findings
Examination revealed a split in the rubber coupling attaching the carburettor to the engine’s plenum chamber. The coupling had a 1,000-hour or five-year life according to the engine manufacturer, but there was no evidence it had been replaced since the aircraft’s manufacture in 2006. The location of the coupling and its mounting clips made inspection problematic. No engine issues were found during a 100-hour service and check flight in January 2023.
Post-Accident Actions
The Light Aircraft Association is revising documents to clarify processes for managing life-limited components. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has hosted a workshop on engine failure after takeoff and intends to produce a podcast. Two safety recommendations were made to mandate a life limit for the Jabiru carburettor coupling and consider similar components on other aircraft.