What happened
On 17 May 2009, a Gulfstream AA-5A Cheetah, registration G-RATE, was conducting a private cross-country flight from Cranfield to Enstone. During the flight, the pilot diverted slightly from the planned track to avoid a band of rain. While performing a turn to intercept the original route, the engine began running roughly and failed to produce full power.
Following the completion of emergency procedures, the pilot found that full power could not be restored. With the engine continuing to run poorly, the decision was made to land at the disused Oakley Airfield in Oxfordshire. The pilot selected an into-wind runway and performed a normal touchdown. However, during the landing roll, a line of steel-cable fencing was discovered across the runway. Although the pilot managed to steer the aircraft off the hard surface and onto the grass using the wheel brakes, the aircraft struck the fence at a shallow angle. The impact caused a puncture to the right wing fuel tank and damage to the propeller and right wing.
There were no injuries to the pilot during the incident.
The investigation
Investigators examined the atmospheric conditions present during the flight. The recorded temperatures and dewpoints (+9°C/+2°C and +10°C/+2°C) were noted to be within ranges where carburettor icing is a known risk. The pilot had also assessed these conditions as the most likely reason for the engine's performance degradation.