What happened
On 3 August 2003, a Cessna 175C Skylark, registration G-ARUZ, was conducting a private flight from Sandown on the Isle of Wight towards Dunkeswell. Prior to departure from Cardiff earlier that day, the pilot had verified the fuel levels and determined there was enough fuel for the return journey. However, a significant delay at Sandown airfield occurred before the aircraft was cleared for takeoff.
During the flight, the pilot noticed the fuel gauge for the left tank fluctuating before it eventually indicated that the tank was empty. The pilot diverted the aircraft toward Dunkeswell, but as the airfield became visible, the engine ceased operation. The pilot performed a forced landing in a field near Membury, Devon. The field was noted to have long grass and uneven terrain. During the landing sequence, the nose gear separated from the firewall, causing significant damage to the fuselage underside, cowling, and engine sump. There were no injuries to the pilot or the three passengers on board.
The investigation
Investigators reviewed the accident report submitted by the pilot and consulted with the engineer responsible for the aircraft's recovery and repair. The engineer observed that the aircraft appeared to have completed a successful landing and traveled a short distance before the nose gear struck a ridge, leading to its collapse. The propeller remained undamaged and was stationary at the time of the incident.
Upon inspection of the fuel system, the engineer was only able to drain a total of 7 litres of fuel from both the wing and fuselage tanks. This low volume of remaining fuel supported the pilot's conclusion regarding the cause of the engine failure.