What happened
On 14 June 2004, an Avid Speedwing Mk 4, registration G-BVAA, was conducting a private flight from a farm strip near Headley, Hampshire. The flight was the aircraft's first mission following a recent service. After a routine takeoff and climb, the engine ceased operation while the aircraft was at approximately 1,200 feet agl. The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but the engine failed to crank.
Seeking a landing site, the pilot identified a nearby field. However, during the final approach, the aircraft collided with a high tree. The impact caused the wing and its fuselage attachments to separate from the airframe, though the cockpit remained largely intact. The aircraft became lodged in the tree branches roughly 30 to 40 feet above the ground. The pilot, who sustained no serious injuries beyond minor bruising, was able to exit the cockpit after the door burst open and was assisted to the ground by a local resident.
The investigation
Investigators examined the engine and the flight conditions leading up to the failure. An inspection by a PFA inspector identified significant scoring on the pistons and cylinders, with the most severe damage located on the rear cylinder. This specific cylinder is typically the hottest-running component of the engine. The findings indicated that the engine had experienced a temporary seizure.
During the investigation, the pilot noted that the aircraft's handling characteristics had changed significantly during the descent. Specifically, the pilot observed much higher stick forces required to maintain a nose-down attitude and a marked reduction in the aircraft's ability to maintain airspeed compared to previous simulated engine failure training.