What happened
On 28 March 1998, a P56 Provost T1, registration G-BTDH, was conducting a series of flights starting from Sandown, Isle of Wight. After refueling and performing initial maneuvers, the pilot flew the aircraft to Popham, Hampshire. The day's activities included aerobatics, sightseeing, and formation flying practice.
During the fourth flight of the day, which was intended for formation practice, the aircraft was cruising at 3,000 feet amsl while returning to Popham. After orbiting Lasham Aerodrome, the engine RPM fluctuated briefly before the engine ceased operation entirely. The pilot transitioned the aircraft into a glide and selected a grassy area for a forced landing, choosing this over nearby wet, ploughed fields.
Upon impact, the aircraft struck a wire fence and a ditch before coming to a halt in a hedge. The impact caused substantial and beyond repair damage to the airframe. Despite the severity of the crash, there were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, as the cockpit remained structurally intact.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's fuel state and engine performance following the accident. The pilot estimated that approximately 35 minutes of fuel should have remained, based on a gauge reading of 75 lb and previous flight time calculations. However, upon inspection of the fuel tanks after the crash, investigators found only about two gallons of fuel remaining.
Findings
- The engine failed following brief fluctuations in RPM.
- The aircraft's fuel consumption was significantly higher than the pilot's calculations suggested, as the aircraft's consumption can double at high power settings.
- Insufficient fuel reserves contributed to the engine failure.