What happened
On 12 November 2005, a Europa aircraft, registration G-FLRT, was performing a private flight from Huddersfield (Crosland Moor) Airfield. Shortly after departing on runway 25, the engine began running roughly at an altitude of approximately 30 feet before losing power entirely.
Following the power loss, the pilot attempted to land straight ahead on the reciprocal runway. During the landing sequence, the pilot attempted to apply power to cushion the impact, but the engine failed to respond. In the process of moving the hand from the brake lever to the throttle, a delay in deceleration occurred, causing the aircraft to veer left. The aircraft subsequently struck a dry stone wall at a 4/5 degree angle. The pilot escaped the aircraft without injury, though the aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair.
The investigation
Because of delays related to insurance and salvage, a detailed examination of the aircraft did not take place until several weeks after the accident. Investigators emptied the fuel system by disconnecting lines upstream of the carburettors and using the electric pump to drain the contents. This process revealed small amounts of water within the carburettor bowls.
Further inspection by a Rotax agent found significant quantities of water within the undamaged engine-driven fuel pump and the connected fuel lines. The presence of internal corrosion in the pump and carburettors suggested that water had been present in the system for a considerable period. The investigation also noted that while the pilot had operated the fuel drains on the day of the flight, he had not used a transparent container to check for contaminants.
Findings
- The engine failure was caused by water contamination in the fuel system.
- The design of the fuel tank allows water to settle at the rear of the tank when parked; however, as the aircraft's tail rises during takeoff, this water can migrate toward the front of the tank and into the fuel outlet.
- The pilot had drained the fuel system prior to flight but did not visually inspect the drained fluid for water.
- The presence of corrosion indicated the water was not a result of the accident itself but had been present for some time.