What happened
On 9 August 2013, a Cyclone AX2000, registration G-MZER, was conducting a private flight near Chard, Somerset. Shortly after departing, while maintaining an altitude of approximately 300 ft, the pilot noticed a substantial reduction in engine performance. The engine RPM decreased from a normal maximum of roughly 6,500 to between 4,000 and 4,500.
Unable to sustain level flight due to the loss of power, the pilot turned the aircraft into the wind and identified a nearby field for an emergency landing. During the approach to the field, the pilot attempted a right-hand turn to align the aircraft parallel to a bordering hedge. During this maneuver, the aircraft entered a stall at an altitude of approximately 10 ft. The nose dropped to the left, causing the aircraft to strike the ground and resulting in the collapse of the nose landing gear. The impact caused extensive damage to the wing, landing gear, and pod structure. The pilot sustained minor injuries, while the passenger was uninjured.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the circumstances surrounding the power loss and the subsequent landing maneuver. The investigation reviewed the pilot's flight experience and the aircraft's maintenance history. At the time of the report, no definitive cause for the reduction in engine RPM had been identified, though the pilot planned a detailed inspection of the fuel and engine systems.