Accident Details
On 8 February 2011 at 0900 hours UTC, an Aerotechnik EV-97 Eurostar, registration G-NIDG, suffered a loss of engine power at a height of approximately 10 ft after the pilot inadvertently attempted to take off with the fuel selector in the OFF position. The pilot landed ahead but was unable to stop the aircraft before it overran the strip, passed through an electric fence, and struck obstacles some 30 metres further on. The pilot was uninjured.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The aircraft was a single-engine Aerotechnik EV-97 Eurostar, manufactured in 2000, powered by one Rotax 912-UL piston engine. It was being operated on a private flight with one crew member and no passengers. The pilot, aged 74, held a National Private Pilot’s Licence and had accumulated 6,693 total flying hours, of which 1,300 were on type. In the last 90 days, he had flown 23 hours, with 10 hours in the last 28 days.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot’s report, the cold and humid weather had caused persistent canopy misting, requiring the use of a fan heater to achieve clear vision. During engine starting, the pilot experienced difficulty and used the choke, which resulted in an excessively rich mixture. To start the engine, he selected the fuel off (giving a leaner mixture) and then turned the fuel on again. He taxied to the threshold, but the canopy misted up again, forcing him to return to the hangar to repeat the process. Eventually, he cleared the canopy misting and proceeded with the takeoff. However, he had forgotten to select the fuel on again after starting the engine, and it cut out during the takeoff roll at about 10 ft altitude.
Damage
The aircraft sustained damage to both wings and a slight buckle in the fuselage rear spar carry-through member.
Probable Cause
The pilot inadvertently attempted to take off with the fuel selector in the OFF position, causing the engine to lose power.