What happened
On 27 July 2013, a modified Kolb Twinstar Mk III, registration G-MYXS, was being prepared for a flight from Arclid Airfield in Cheshire to its home base at Clotton. Following a previous 46-minute flight, the pilot conducted standard pre-flight inspections, noting that all instruments appeared normal and the fuel supply was sufficient for the intended journey.
During the takeoff roll, the pilot applied maximum engine RPM. However, at an altitude of roughly 250 ft, the engine ceased operation abruptly. Unable to significantly change the aircraft's heading, the pilot scanned the area for an emergency landing site. The first available option was a field of tall rape, but the pilot determined there was insufficient altitude to reach a second field containing wheat. Consequently, the pilot executed a forced landing in the rape field, where the aircraft came to a rapid stop. The aircraft sustained damage beyond economic repair, though the pilot escaped without injury.
The investigation
An investigation by the AAIB examined the circumstances surrounding the engine failure. The pilot noted that following the engine stoppage, the propeller was very difficult to rotate. Additionally, an inspection of the engine revealed that the carburettor bowl was dry.