What happened
On 3 August 2003, a Jodel DR 221, registration G-GOSS, was conducting a private flight at approximately 2,700 feet west of Evesham. During the flight, the pilot noticed the smell of fuel within the cockpit. Shortly thereafter, the engine began to misfire, and the fuel low pressure warning light illuminated.
To manage the situation, the pilot applied carburettor heat, which allowed the aircraft to remain controllable enough to reach Bidford Airfield. An emergency landing was executed successfully; however, once the aircraft stopped, smoke filled the cockpit. The pilot and passenger evacuated the aircraft immediately before it was engulfed in flames. The aircraft was destroyed in the resulting fire. The pilot later noted that flames had been visible beneath the aircraft during the final approach.
The investigation
The investigation focused on identifying the origin of the fire, which was complicated by the extensive damage caused by the ground fire. Investigators examined the area around the fuel pressure transmitter, located forward of the firewall in the lower cowling. This component is situated where a fuel pipe from the engine-driven pump meets the carburettor.
While the fuel pressure transmitter was properly wire-locked and the connecting hose remained intact despite charring, the aluminium banjo fitting connecting the hose to the carburettor and transmitter had melted. Although maintenance had been performed on the aircraft brakes three hours prior, there was no recorded work involving the engine or fuel systems. The maintenance organisation noted that while small leaks near the transmitter are a known issue due to loose couplings, they had not previously resulted in fires.
Findings
- A fuel leak likely occurred near the fuel pressure transmitter, allowing fuel to reach the exhaust system.
- The melting of the aluminium banjo fitting was a key indicator of the fire's location.
- While a small leak might not ignite in flight due to the slipstream, the lack of airflow once the aircraft came to rest allowed the fire to spread to the airframe.
- There were no previous records of similar fire incidents involving Jodel or Robin aircraft types in the UK CAA database.