What happened
On 11 July 2006, a Gemini Flash 2 Alpha microlight, registration G-MTJZ, was conducting a training flight from Otherton airfield toward Darley Moor. The flight, which included an instructor and a student pilot, was traveling on a cross-country route under favorable weather conditions, characterized by clear skies and good visibility.
While cruising at an altitude of approximately 1,000 feet, the engine suddenly lost power. The instructor identified the cause as fuel exhaustion. To manage the situation, the instructor attempted to switch fuel tanks mid-flight; however, the physical layout of the aircraft made this task difficult to perform while maintaining control. The instructor ultimately decided to execute a forced landing in a field.
During the glide approach to the chosen landing site, the aircraft encountered an unexpected downdraft. This forced the pilot to alter the approach toward a different, less suitable field. Upon touchdown, the aircraft struck a rut in the ground, which triggered a collapse of the nosewheel and caused the right wing tip to strike the earth. There were no injuries to the two crew members, though the aircraft sustained damage.
The investigation
Investigators examined the fuel consumption and the aircraft's fuel system. The aircraft was equipped with two 20-litre tanks located behind the rear seat. The instructor noted that switching tanks in flight was a cumbersome process because the fuel cock could not be visually monitored and required reaching behind the seat with one hand.
Analysis of the fuel usage revealed that while the total fuel load of 40 litres was theoretically sufficient for the planned route, the actual burn rate was higher than anticipated. While the typical consumption rate was estimated at 15 litres per hour, the actual rate during this flight was closer to 20 litres per hour. This discrepancy was attributed to the high ambient temperature of 29°C, which necessitated a higher power setting to maintain performance.