What happened
On 6 December 2014, a Team Minimax aircraft, registration G-MYRG, was performing a local flight over Northrepps Airfield in Norfolk. During the flight, the single Rotax 447 piston engine ceased operation.
Following the engine failure, the pilot attempted to reach the airfield runway. However, due to the propeller being stationary, the aircraft's glide performance was significantly reduced. Fearing the aircraft would strike power lines positioned across the approach path, the pilot opted to perform a forced landing in a nearby field of sugar beet. As the aircraft entered the crop, a bar located between the two landing gear wheels caught on the vegetation, causing the aircraft to flip onto its back. The pilot escaped without injury, though the aircraft sustained a broken windscreen and minor damage to the rudder.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sudden loss of engine power and the subsequent landing sequence. Investigators determined that the engine failure was the result of a lack of fuel, a condition that became apparent when the aircraft's attitude changed during flight.
Further examination of the pilot's performance revealed that the glide capability of the aircraft with a non-rotating propeller was significantly lower than anticipated. The pilot's calculations regarding the aircraft's ability to clear obstacles were inaccurate, leading to the decision to land in the field rather than the runway.