Incident Overview
A Gypsy Moth aircraft, on a flight from Liss to Popham, experienced a loss of engine power while overhead East Stratton. The pilot elected to carry out a precautionary landing, which was completed satisfactorily. The pilot shut down the engine and exited the cockpit before noticing burning straw beneath the tail. Attempts to remove the straw and extinguish the fire were unsuccessful, and the aircraft was rapidly engulfed in flames. The fuel tank subsequently exploded, resulting in a substantial fire that caused some damage to trees and bushes surrounding the field.
Sequence of Events
The flight was being accompanied by a PA 18, which was in contact with Farnborough Radar. Overhead East Stratton, the Gypsy Moth suffered a loss of power. The pilot decided to perform a precautionary landing, which was executed without incident. After landing, the pilot shut down the engine and climbed out. It was at this point that the pilot became aware of burning straw under the tail. Despite efforts to remove the straw and extinguish the fire, the flames quickly spread and the aircraft was engulfed. The fuel tank explosion produced a large fire, which also damaged nearby trees and bushes.
Aircraft and Performance
The aircraft involved was a Gypsy Moth. No specific registration or date was provided in the source. The engine power loss occurred for undetermined reasons, as noted in the official findings.
Fire and Damage
The post-landing fire started from burning straw under the tail. The fire rapidly spread, leading to the fuel tank explosion. The aircraft sustained substantial fire damage, and the surrounding field's trees and bushes were also damaged by the fire.