What happened
On 14 May 2017, a Stolp Starduster Too SA300, registration G-JIII, was conducting a private flight in the Raydale area of North Yorkshire. During the flight, the aircraft's Lycoming IO-360-C1C piston engine ceased operation following the failure of the fuel pump.
In response to the loss of engine power, the pilot performed a forced landing. During the landing sequence, the aircraft's landing gear collapsed, resulting in damage to the gear assembly. There were no injuries to the pilot during the event.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form submitted by the pilot. The inquiry focused on the mechanical failure that led to the loss of power and the subsequent structural impact during the landing. The pilot, who held a National Private Pilot's Licence and possessed significant flying experience, managed to execute the forced landing, though the aircraft sustained damage to its landing gear.