What happened
On 6 April 2013, a Flight Design CTSW, registration G-DEWE, was conducting a private flight from Dunkeswell Airfield to Old Sarum Airfield in Wiltshire. The purpose of the 50-minute mission was to verify the functionality of a newly installed oil thermostat system. During the descent, the pilot utilized a low-power, low-drag configuration to monitor oil temperatures.
As the aircraft approached Runway 06, the pilot increased the approach speed by 10 knots and utilized a reduced flap setting to account for turbulent air conditions. Upon touchdown, the aircraft experienced a slight bounce. In an attempt to stabilize the aircraft and manage the bounce, the pilot applied throttle; however, the engine failed to respond. This lack of power led to a series of divergent pitch excursions. Consequently, the nose landing gear collapsed, causing the propeller to strike the grass runway and resulting in the aircraft inverting.
The pilot sustained serious injuries, including a damaged vertebra, while the passenger escaped with minor cuts. Both occupants were wearing full harnesses at the time of the impact.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the circumstances surrounding the engine's failure to respond to throttle inputs and the subsequent loss of directional control. The investigation reviewed the pilot's flight profile, the aircraft's mechanical state, and the environmental conditions, which included a 15-knot surface wind from 070°.