What happened
On 28 September 2021, a Jodel D120, registration G-BCGM, was conducting a private local flight when the engine power unexpectedly dropped. While on final approach to Runway 19 at Eshott Airfield, approximately 2 nautical miles from the threshold and at an altitude of 700 feet, the engine RPM decreased smoothly from 2,000 to 600. This reduction occurred without any input from the pilot. Despite having set the carburettor heat to hot and the mixture to full rich, the engine failed to respond to throttle movements.
Seeking a safe landing site, the pilot selected a field near the village of Felton, chosen because it offered an into-wind approach and a long landing distance. However, the field surface was heavily rutted. During the landing roll, the aircraft struck a rut, causing it to bounce repeatedly. The right main landing gear eventually detached as the leg dug into the earth, bringing the aircraft to an abrupt halt. The pilot sustained minor injuries, and the aircraft suffered significant damage to the right wing, right landing gear, nose cowling, propeller, carburettor, and airbox, while the engine also experienced a shock-load.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and its Continental Motors C90-14F engine. While the mechanical fuel pump appeared functional and showed no visible damage, the specific reason for the sudden drop in RPM could not be determined. The pilot noted that he had been flying approximately 10 knots faster than intended on the approach and had become focused on the landing site itself.
Findings
- The engine power loss was the primary reason for the forced landing.
- The cause of the engine power loss remained undetermined.
- The selection of the landing site provided sufficient distance and wind conditions, but the uneven, rutted terrain of the field contributed to the structural damage sustained by the aircraft.