What happened
On 2 January 2023, a Reims Cessna F152, registration G-BLJO, was performing circuit practice at Shoreham Airport. While on the late downwind leg of the fifth circuit, the engine began coughing and losing power at approximately 1,10 and feet altitude. The pilot attempted several checks, including adjusting the throttle and verifying the magneto and mixture settings, but the engine subsequently suffered a complete loss of power.
Unable to return to the runway, the pilot identified a suitable landing site in a field approximately 1.5 nm north-east of the airfield. During the approach, the pilot applied flaps in two stages before transitioning to full flaps. The aircraft touched down on a downhill slope, hitting the nosewheel first. This impact caused the nose landing gear leg to collapse and resulted in damage to the aircraft's bulkhead. The pilot, who was flying solo, exited the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined the aircraft's engine, fuel systems, and the pilot's training history. Maintenance inspections performed at the accident site found sufficient fuel on board and no evidence of oil leaks or mechanical faults in the fuel lines or spark plugs. While a small amount of water was found in the left fuel tank, it was considered unlikely to be the cause of the power loss given the timing of the event.
The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training and the flying school's procedures. It was noted that the pilot's single-engine piston rating had expired, a fact that had not been caught by the school's administration or the pilot himself. Furthermore, there was a discrepancy regarding whether the pilot was cleared to fly the Cessna F152 solo, as the school's booking system allowed the booking despite the pilot not being officially checked out on that specific type.
Findings
- The engine lost all power during the downwind leg of the circuit.
- Atmospheric conditions, characterized by high relative humidity, were conducive to carburettor icing at any power setting.
- The pilot's recent practice of forced landings with an instructor likely contributed to the successful execution of the emergency landing.
- The nosewheel-first touchdown, potentially caused by an early flare on a downhill slope, led to the collapse of the nose landing gear.
- The pilot's training involved a complex sequence of carburettor heat applications which increased the risk of an error during the approach.
Safety action
- The flying school has updated its electronic booking system to highlight in red any pilot who is out of currency or not checked out for a specific aircraft type.
- Administrative staff and flight instructors have implemented daily checks to verify the validity of pilots' licences and ratings.