Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft involved was a Skyraider Aviation Phantom, registration G-MJTZ, serial number MBS-01, manufactured in 1983. It was equipped with a single Rotax 462 piston engine. The pilot, aged 67, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 372 total flying hours, with 102 hours on type. In the 90 days prior to the accident, he had flown 7 hours, and 5 hours in the last 28 days.
Accident Details
The flight departed Sandown Airport, Isle of Wight, at 0810 UTC on 21 June 2015, bound for Defford Airfield. After climbing to an altitude of 1,900 ft, the engine failed. The pilot executed a forced landing in a grass field approximately 2 nm southeast of Newport, Isle of Wight. During the landing roll, the aircraft encountered uneven ground that was obscured by long grass, resulting in damage to the nosewheel and left mainwheel. The pilot was uninjured.
Post-Flight Examination
Following the accident, the pilot examined the engine. Fuel was present in the fuel tank and carburetor float bowl. When the spark plugs were removed, the rear plug was found soaked with unburned fuel, indicating a failure of the rear cylinder's ignition system.
The aircraft sustained damage to the nosewheel and left mainwheel during the forced landing.