History of the Flight
The pilot, owner of the Europa registered G-BWZT, was conducting a local private flight from Crowfield Airfield near Ipswich. He was accompanied by a passenger who held a Private Pilot's Licence but was unfamiliar with the aircraft. The weather was fine and cold, with a surface temperature of about 0°C and a surface wind from 320°(M) at 18 to 20 kt. The grass runway at Crowfield is orientated 31/13 and 768 m in length.
Pre-flight actions and checks were carried out, including a check of the fuel from both drain points. The fuel tanks were approximately two thirds full. All engine indications were normal, and the aircraft took off and operated between 800 ft and 1,500 ft in the local area.
After some general handling, the aircraft was climbed to about 4,000 ft with the intention of conducting a stalling exercise. During a stall, with the aircraft in a high nose attitude at a low power setting, the engine began to misfire. The pilot levelled the aircraft and increased power, but the engine did not respond correctly. The rpm fluctuated between about 4,400 rpm and 4,900 rpm with associated power surges. The pilot selected the reserve fuel tank, which made no noticeable difference. At some point the electric fuel pump was selected on. The pilot also cycled the propeller control, and although this made no immediate difference, the engine then started to run more normally.
Approach and Go-Around
The pilot initiated a recovery to Crowfield, with the propeller pitch set to full fine. He requested a priority landing because of the rough running engine but did not declare an emergency. The aircraft arrived over Crowfield at about 3,000 ft, positioned to the north of the airfield on the 'dead side' of Runway 31. The pilot joined the left hand circuit crosswind, descending to about 2,000 ft at the start of the downwind leg. By the time the aircraft was on base leg it was at about 1,000 ft but the speed was too high to allow selection of flaps, which were eventually selected when the aircraft was on finals. The aircraft crossed the threshold at about 100 kt, and it was clear that a safe landing on the grass runway was unlikely. The pilot selected full power and the engine appeared to respond. As the aircraft climbed, the pilot retracted the flaps and commenced a turn to the left, intending to fly a tight low-level circuit.
Forced Landing
Soon afterwards, it became clear that the engine was not producing sufficient power to maintain height and speed and that a forced landing would be necessary. A suitable field lay ahead and the aircraft was landed downwind into it, heading about south-south-east at an estimated 55 kt IAS. The aircraft ran on smoothly for a while but the nose wheel 'dug in' after about 50 or 60 m, and the aircraft pitched forward and yawed through 180° before coming to rest.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot and passenger, both wearing four-point harnesses, received only minor bruising and vacated the aircraft without difficulty. The aircraft suffered extensive damage to the aft fuselage, engine cowling and spinner, undercarriage, and left wing.