What happened
On 25 June 2011, a Breezer B600, registration G-OLSA, was performing a private flight at Membury Airfield in Berkshire. After completing several successful circuits, the aircraft commenced its third takeoff from Runway 31. Shortly after departure, a low fuel pressure warning activated. While the pilot initially observed a brief return to normal pressure, the engine eventually failed completely as the aircraft reached the end of the runway.
In response to the engine stoppage, the pilot performed a forced landing. During the descent, the pilot managed the aircraft's attitude to mitigate the impact, but a heavy touchdown occurred. Due to a crosswind and a high nose attitude, the aircraft experienced a sideways drift, resulting in the failure of the nose landing gear and the left main landing gear. The impact also caused damage to the wings, engine mount, firewall, and one propeller blade. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the two occupants.
The investigation
Investigators focused on the fuel system following the low-pressure warning. While the in-line fuel filter was clear, a physical examination of the fuel tank revealed remnants of a placard at the base of the tank near the outlet hole. This placard, which was attached to the fuel quantity sender, was intended to be removed during the installation process. It was determined that the adhesive from the placard had likely been dissolved by fuel, allowing the label to detach and migrate toward the outlet, where it partially obstructed the fuel flow.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by a fuel restriction resulting from a misplaced installation placard blocking the fuel tank outlet.
- The aircraft, a Light Sport Aeroplane (LSA), was not required by its design standards (ASTM F2245) to have a strainer or filter at the fuel tank outlet.
- The placard had not been removed during the installation of the fuel quantity sender.
Safety action
Following the investigation, the aircraft manufacturer issued a Safety Alert and introduced a service bulletin to retrofit existing aircraft with a fuel strainer at the fuel tank outlet. New aircraft production now includes this strainer as standard. Additionally, the AAIB issued two safety recommendations calling for EASA and ASTM International to amend their certification specifications to require fuel strainers at the outlet for LSA aircraft to prevent similar obstructions.