What happened
On 1 November 2011, a BFC Challenger II, registration G-MYOZ, was conducting a private flight from Longside Airfield in Aberdeenshire. While flying in a left-hand circuit at approximately 650 ft, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power. After determining that a return to Runway 28 was not feasible, the pilot opted to land on Runway 10.
During the approach, with the aircraft at roughly 20ft above the ground, the wing positioned into the wind was abruptly forced downward. This movement could not be recovered by the pilot, resulting in the right wingtip striking the runway. The impact caused the aircraft to tip onto its nose. The incident resulted in one minor injury to the crew member on board.
The investigation
The investigation examined the mechanical state of the aircraft and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The damage sustained by the BFC Challenger II included the propeller tip, nose cone, nosewheel, landing gear leg, and the right wingtip.
Investigators reviewed the local weather data against the Civil Aviation Authority’s Carburettor Icing Prediction Chart. The data indicated that conditions were such that serious icing could occur at any power setting.
Findings
- The aircraft suffered a loss of engine power during the circuit.
- Carburettor icing was identified as a possible cause for the power loss.
- The sudden downward movement of the into-wind wing led to the wingtip strike and subsequent nose-over.