What happened
On 19 May 2010, a Jabiru J400, registration G-CDLS, departed Fishburn Airfield for a private flight to Scarborough and back. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and one passenger with approximately 60 litres of Avgas on board. During the return leg of the journey, while flying at roughly 1,000 feet northwest of Whitby, the engine began to experience severe misfiring.
The pilot issued a MAYDAY call and identified a field to the east of the aircraft's path for an emergency landing. While attempting a turn into the wind, the aircraft became too low to maintain the intended approach and turned sharply to the left. Before the turn could be completed, the aircraft struck the ground, resulting in the failure of the nose and left landing gear legs. The impact caused significant damage to the propeller, engine, cowlings, and lower fuselage. Both occupants escaped without injury and were able to signal a passing Coast Guard helicopter.
The investigation
The investigation examined the engine's condition and the environmental factors present at the time of the accident. Post-accident analysis of the fuel showed that approximately 27 litres remained in the wing tanks, ruling out fuel exhaustion as the cause of the power loss. An informal inspection of the engine by an engineer revealed that the engine could turn freely and exhibited compression in all cylinders, suggesting no major mechanical failure had occurred prior to the impact. The engine had also briefly regained power while on the ground following the landing.
Findings
- The engine malfunction was likely caused by carburettor icing.
- Meteorological data from Durham Tees Valley Airport indicated temperatures and dew points that were conducive to moderate icing at cruise power.
- The aircraft was unable to complete the intended approach due to the loss of power and the resulting sharp turn into the wind.