What happened
On 24 August 2020, a Pietenpol Air Camper, registration G-BWVB, was performing a private flight from a site near Hexham, Northumberland. Following a period of storage, the aircraft had recently undergone an oil filter and oil change. Before departure, the pilot performed standard pre-takeoff checks, including power, magneto, and carburettor heat tests, all of which were normal.
During the takeoff roll on a short, grass runway with a slight uphill gradient, the pilot observed that the ground roll was longer than expected. As the aircraft reached rotation speed and lifted off, the engine suffered a sudden loss of all power at an altitude of approximately 30 ft.
Unable to clear a small bund topped with a stock fence and lacking sufficient runway for a safe landing, the pilot continued the descent. The aircraft touched down near the edge of the field and struck the bund and fence. The impact sheared off the landing gear and caused the aircraft to nose over until it was resting on its back. The pilot, wearing a four-point harness, managed to exit the aircraft safely after noticing fuel leaking from the main tank. There were no injuries to the pilot.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the circumstances surrounding the engine failure and the subsequent impact. The investigation looked into potential causes such as fuel contamination or incorrect fuel system configuration. While the pilot considered that fuel contamination might have been a factor, the fuel had drained from the tank while the aircraft was inverted, preventing a direct test of the fuel quality. A borescope inspection of the fuel tank interior revealed no evidence of contamination. The investigation also considered whether the fuel pump had been inadvertently switched off after the post-maintenance checks, though this was deemed unlikely by the pilot.