What happened
On 18 May 2013, an Aeroprakt A22-L Foxbat, registration G-EOID, was prepared for a short local flight from a private grass strip in Sandford St Martin, Oxfordshire. Prior to departure, the pilot conducted a pre-flight inspection and refuelled the aircraft using a bulk supply. The flight crew, consisting of the pilot and one passenger, established takeoff and landing performance markers based on specific posts along the strip.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot applied maximum power. The aircraft accelerated and became airborne at the anticipated location. However, when the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 40 feet, the engine note became rough and the engine suffered a marked loss of power. Due to the low altitude and airspeed, the pilot opted to land straight ahead in an adjacent, uncut grass field.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft bounced into the air before landing heavily. The uneven surface of the field caused damage to the nose gear, the left main landing gear, and the tailplane. The occupants exited the aircraft through the standard exits without injury.
The investigation
The investigation focused on identifying the cause of the engine power loss. The pilot had performed fuel samples from the gascolator and the emergency drain, which showed no evidence of water contamination. A subsequent inspection of the fuel following the accident also revealed no water. The pilot had also verified that both fuel selector handles were in the ON position during pre-flight checks.
Findings
- The engine experienced a noticeable reduction in power and rough running at 40 feet altitude.
- The landing was necessitated by the low altitude and airspeed following the power loss.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the nose gear, left main gear, and tailplane due to the uneven terrain of the landing site.
- No evidence of water in the fuel was found during pre-flight or post-accident inspections.