What happened
On 7 October 2011, a Falconar F-11-3, registration G-AWHY, was conducting a private cross-country flight from Chichester (Goodwood) Airfield to Dunkeswell Airfield. Shortly after departing, the pilot observed an issue with the aircraft's fuel gauge. Relying on a pre-flight calculation that assumed a fuel consumption rate of 15 litres per hour, the pilot proceeded with the flight. However, as the flight progressed, the pilot found that the sectors were taking longer than planned. To ensure sufficient reserves, the pilot rerouted the aircraft onto a shorter flight path.
As the aircraft approached Dunkeswell, the engine began to lose power and eventually stopped completely. The pilot identified a nearby gliding club as a suitable landing site and initiated an approach. During the landing roll, the aircraft struck a flock of sheep that had run onto the runway. While the collision resulted in damage to the right wing, there were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's flight planning and fuel management. It was established that while the pilot had planned the flight extensively, the actual fuel consumption was higher than the estimated 15 litres per hour. The investigation found that a rate of 22 litres per hour was a more accurate representation of the aircraft's actual usage. The pilot's decision to reroute was an attempt to manage the fuel situation after realizing the flight was taking longer than anticipated.