What happened
On 11 August 2007, a Chevvron 2-32 microlight, registration G-MVGE, was conducting a private flight departing from Sandtoft Airfield. After climbing to 2,000 ft, the pilot shut down the engine to utilize thermals for further ascent. During the subsequent approach to North Moor Airfield, the engine lost power while the aircraft was on final approach to Runway 27.
The pilot attempted to restart the engine, but the power loss persisted. To avoid power lines and ensure the aircraft cleared standing crops, the pilot performed a 180-degree turn to land into the wind. The aircraft eventually reached a stubble field near North Moor, where it stalled into an 8-foot-high maize crop. The landing caused the landing gear to separate and resulted in damage to the propeller and the underside of the fuselage. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the cause of the engine failure and the conditions during the flight. It was established that the aircraft was operating in humid conditions with an ambient temperature of approximately 24ºC. The investigation examined the engine's performance and the lack of specific anti-icing equipment on the aircraft.