What happened
On 15 August 2008, a Nord 1002 Pingouin II, registration G-ATBG, was conducting a private flight from Audley End to Lashenden/Headcorn Airfield. While joining the left-hand circuit pattern, the pilot observed another aircraft turning onto final approach. Because the preceding aircraft had performed a non-standard right base leg join, there was insufficient separation for the pilot of G-ATBG to continue the approach.
The pilot decided to initiate a go-around. However, upon advancing the throttle, the engine failed to respond. Despite the pilot attempting to reselect the throttle, the engine remained unresponsive. After verifying that cockpit settings were correct, the pilot declared a MAYDAY. As the active runway was occupied by the other aircraft, the pilot performed an emergency landing in a stubble field approximately half a mile west of the airfield with the landing gear retracted. The pilot escaped the aircraft without injury, though the aircraft sustained minor damage to the propeller, nose, lower cowling, right aileron, flaps, pitot tube, and venturi.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation examined the engine performance and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators looked into the engine's response during the go-around attempt and reviewed the weather data, specifically the relationship between temperature and dew point. No immediate mechanical failures were identified during the initial inspection, though the investigation noted that any findings during future engine overhauls would be subject to further reporting.
Findings
- The primary cause of the engine failure was serious carburettor icing, which was highly likely given the temperature and dew point conditions at descent power settings.
- The pilot's decision to go around was necessitated by insufficient separation caused by the preceding aircraft's non-standard circuit join.