What happened
On 29 June 2009, a Jodel D117, registration G-BTGX, was performing a private flight departing from Shobdon Aerodrome in Herefordshire. Shortly after departing from Runway 09, while at an altitude of approximately 350 ft, the aircraft's engine lost power and began running roughly.
Faced with unsuitable terrain directly ahead, the pilot attempted a 180-degree turn to return to Runway 27. During the maneuver, the pilot applied carburettor heat and switched fuel tanks, but these actions did not resolve the engine's unstable performance. The pilot performed a downwind landing without the use of flaps; however, the aircraft could not be slowed sufficiently to stop before reaching the boundary fence. The aircraft subsequently struck the fence, causing damage to the wing leading edges, the tailplane, the wing fabric, and the right-hand canopy. There were no injuries to the pilot, and the aircraft sustained possible engine shockload.
The investigation
The investigation examined the engine's failure and the pilot's actions during the emergency. The investigation noted that the weather conditions at the time, featuring a temperature of 24ºC and a dew point of 17ºC, were highly conducive to the formation of moderate carburettor icing at cruise power and serious icing at lower power settings. The pilot noted that the application of carburettor heat during the pre-takeoff taxi may have been inadequate to clear any ice that had accumulated while the aircraft was on the ground.