What happened
On 3 August 2024, a Jodel DR11, registration G-AWMD, was conducting a private flight for the purpose of practising approaches to Runway 27R at Rhigos Airfield, Glamorgan. During the second approach of the session, the pilot attempted to adjust the engine settings by reducing the throttle and activating the carburettor heat.
However, instead of engaging the carburettor heat, the pilot inadvertently cut the fuel mixture. This error caused the engine to stop. In an attempt to recover, the pilot reset the mixture to the rich position and tried to restart the engine. The engine only ran for a few seconds before the aircraft lost sufficient altitude and airspeed. Consequently, the aircraft struck a bank that serves as part of the airfield boundary. The pilot sustained serious facial and spinal injuries.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of engine operations and the aircraft's flight path during the final approach. The inspection of the aircraft revealed that the right landing gear had detached, and there was significant damage to the fuselage, the instrument panel, and the leading edges of the wings.