What happened
On 16 August 2014, a Pioneer 300, registration G-DEWY, was conducting a private flight from Old Sarum toward Frensham Airfield. During the approach, the pilot followed local procedures by overflying the airfield at 600 ft agl to ensure the landing strip was clear of horses. After confirming the area was safe, the pilot commenced a second circuit to land.
While flying the base leg at approximately 400 ft, the aircraft encountered turbulence while traversing a wooded area, at which point the engine ceased operation. The pilot attempted to manage the emergency by adjusting to a 55 kt glide speed, checking the fuel pump, and switching to the alternative fuel tank. However, the aircraft struck the treetops and came to rest on the ground in an inverted position.
Due to the remote, wooded location, rescue teams faced significant delays, and it took several hours for paramedics to extricate the pilot from the wreckage. The pilot sustained serious injuries.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the circumstances surrounding the engine loss and the subsequent impact. The investigation included an inspection of the aircraft's fuel system, specifically the gascolator, which was found to be free of any debris. The pilot noted that his calculations indicated approximately 24 litres of fuel should have been available in the secondary tank, a quantity sufficient for over an hour of flight time.
Findings
- The engine failure occurred during the base leg of the landing circuit while flying over trees.
- The pilot attempted emergency procedures, including switching fuel tanks and maintaining glide speed.
- The exact cause of the engine failure could not be positively determined.
- The pilot suggested the failure might have been due to an unreliable fuel gauge or sender, leading to unintentional fuel starvation.