What happened
On 27 December 2016, a Luscombe 8A Silvaire, registration G-BRJK, was performing a private flight at Chilbolton Airfield in Hampshire. During the landing phase on Runway 06, the pilot approached the threshold at a speed roughly 10 mph higher than usual. Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced, prompting the pilot to initiate a go-around procedure.
As the pilot applied power to climb away, the engine failed to respond adequately. Faced with the immediate risk of striking power lines or the hedge located at the end of the grass runway, the pilot chose to shut down the engine and perform an emergency landing. The aircraft subsequently struck a hedge at speeds between 15 and 25 mph, causing the flight to end. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained damage to the engine, undercarriage, lift strut, and leading edge.
The investigation
Investigators examined the engine performance and environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Meteorological data from nearby airfields suggested that atmospheric conditions were highly susceptible to severe carburettor icing, regardless of the power setting used. While the pilot reported using carburettor heat during the approach, the possibility of ice formation could not be dismissed.
Furthermore, the investigation looked into the engine's mechanical response to sudden power demands. The pilot noted that the engine lacked an accelerator pump, making it particularly sensitive to mixture adjustments compared to other carburettors the pilot had operated. The pilot acknowledged that the decision to attempt a go-around should have been made earlier, accounting for these known engine limitations.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the engine faltering during the transition to a go-around.
- Environmental conditions were highly conducive to the development of severe carburettor icing.
- The pilot's decision to attempt a go-around after a high-speed bounce, despite the engine's known sensitivity to power demands, contributed to the outcome.