Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft involved was a Jabiru UL, registration G-RODG, manufactured in 1999 and powered by one Jabiru Aircraft Pty 2200A piston engine. The pilot, aged 56, held a Private Pilot's Licence with 880 hours total flying experience, including 178 hours on type. He had flown 25 hours in the last 90 days and 12 hours in the last 28 days.
Weather and Flight
On 29 November 2000 at 1300 UTC, the pilot was conducting a short air experience flight with a passenger at Eshott, Bockenfield, Felton, Northumberland. The weather at departure was: surface wind 190°/10 kt, good visibility, cloud base 3,000 to 4,000 feet, temperature +10°C, and QFE 982 mb. After a pre-flight inspection, both occupants secured themselves, and the aircraft departed from Runway 19. The pilot contacted Newcastle approach for a Flight Information Service. The flight was uneventful, with smooth flying conditions.
Engine Failure and Emergency Landing
On return, the pilot made a gentle descent from the east. The microlight circuit height at Eshott was 500 feet QFE. Wind speed had increased slightly, and the pilot intended to land on Runway 19. During descent at about 400 feet, the engine began to lose power. The pilot selected carburettor heat by pulling out the knob to clear any carburettor icing, as none had been experienced earlier. At that point, the engine stopped. Given the low height, the pilot decided to carry out an emergency landing. He initially considered Runway 26 or 14 but concluded he might not reach either due to the stopped engine and risk of striking fences. A ploughed field lay ahead, and he chose that option, suspecting the surface was soft but preferring it to possibly hitting a fence. The pilot briefed the passenger, switched off the main power switch, lowered flaps, and reduced speed to about 50 kt. On touchdown, the nose landing gear dug into the soft earth, and the aircraft tipped over onto its back.
Injuries and Aftermath
Both occupants sustained minor injuries. The passenger had difficulty releasing his harness but the pilot assisted, and they exited the aircraft. A passer-by called emergency services, and both were taken to hospital for treatment. The pilot made no distress call, believing Newcastle approach would not have heard it at such low height. He concluded that the engine had stopped due to severe carburettor icing. Although the soft earth caused the aircraft to pitch over, he considered it the better option than attempting to reach Runway 26 or 14.
The aircraft sustained damage to its wings, landing gear, and propeller.