What happened
On 25 July 1998, a Europa Classic, registration G-MAVE, was conducting a scheduled two-hour endurance test flight near Farthing Corner Airfield, Kent. The aircraft, which was carrying two occupants, was operating at its maximum take-off weight with sufficient fuel for 2.5 hours of flight. After approximately 90 minutes of flight, the pilot noted rough engine running at 4,000 RPM, which was temporarily resolved by increasing engine speed and applying carburettor heat.
At 1 hour and 45 minutes into the flight, while at an altitude of 1,600 feet, the engine ceased operation suddenly following a left-hand turn. The pilot attempted to restart the engine using the auxiliary fuel tank and pump, but these efforts were unsuccessful. After declaring a MAYDAY, the pilot attempted to align the aircraft with the extended centre-line of the grass runway at Farthing Corner. While attempting to avoid trees by pulling up into a stall, the tail of the aircraft struck branches, causing the tail to detach and the aircraft to fall from approximately 50 feet. Both occupants escaped the wreckage without injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft and the engine's performance history. Prior to the accident, the aircraft had undergone various taxi trials where the engine had intermittently stopped. Previous attempts to rectify this included adjusting the fuel pressure regulator and insulating fuel lines.
Upon inspection of the wreckage, investigators found at least 10 litres of fuel remaining in the tank, which should have been sufficient for an additional 30 minutes of flight. However, they discovered that the forward fuel lines were empty. The investigation scrutinized several components of the fuel system, including the fuel filters, the fuel pressure regulator, the tank outlet positions, and a non-standard gascolator.