What happened
On 6 April 2013, a Jodel D120 Paris-Nice, registration G-BKGB, was returning to Rhigos Airfield in South Wales from Kemble, Gloucestershire. During the approach to the grass runway, the pilot determined that the groundspeed was excessive and initiated a go-around procedure. To execute this, the pilot applied full throttle and closed the carburettor heat.
As the aircraft was performing a climbing turn to the right—a necessary maneuver due to power lines near the eastern end of the runway—the engine ceased operation abruptly without prior warning. The pilot subsequently performed a forced landing in a field adjacent to the airfield. While the landing was successful and there were no injuries to the two occupants, the aircraft's right wing sustained damage after striking a sheep in the field.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances leading to the engine loss and the aircraft's recovery. The aircraft was eventually returned to the airfield using a combination of taxiing under its own power and towing. Investigators noted that the maintenance provider for the aircraft indicated that the prevailing weather conditions were suitable for the development of carburettor icing.