What happened
On 29 June 2019, a Rans S6-ESD (Modified) Coyote II, registration G-MYLO, was conducting a private cross-country flight near North East of Trimdon, County Durham. While the aircraft was on a downwind leg approaching for landing, the Rotax 503 piston engine began running roughly before failing completely.
Following an unsuccessful attempt to restart the engine, the pilot maneuvered the aircraft into the wind and identified a suitable field for an emergency landing. To reach the intended landing site, the aircraft needed to clear a copse of trees. In an effort to extend the aircraft's glide, the pilot attempted to "stretch the glide," which caused the airspeed to drop. This resulted in an aerodynamic stall, leading the aircraft to collide with the trees. There were no injuries to the two occupants, though the aircraft sustained damage beyond economical repair.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the circumstances surrounding the engine failure and the subsequent flight path. The investigation noted that the pilot's attempt to maintain distance from the trees by reducing speed directly contributed to the loss of lift. Additionally, the investigation considered the impact of environmental conditions, noting the pilot's observation that minimal wind conditions provided little assistance for the glide distance.