What happened
On 3 June, the aircraft, registered Papa Victor OH, departed Meaux for a flight toward a landing strip near Liverpool. The flight plan involved stops for passengers before returning to Henstridge, with the pilot intending to complete the journey without further refueling. During the flight, the aircraft proceeded through various waypoints including Compiegne and Lydd under visual meteorological conditions.
At 12:46 hrs, while flying at 3,500 feet south of Leicester, the pilot requested flight information services. Shortly after, at 13:12 hrs, the pilot declared a Mayday, reporting the loss of the right engine. The pilot attempted to divert toward Tatenhill airfield; however, within one minute, the pilot reported that all engine power had been lost.
During the subsequent descent, the pilot communicated that a forced landing would be necessary. The final radio transmission occurred at 13:16:50 hrs, as the pilot identified a field for landing. The aircraft type impacted a field of soft earth characterized by a significant upward slope in the direction of the landing. The pilot survived the impact but required heavy sedation in the hospital.
Findings
- Prior to departure from Meaux, the aircraft had been refueled with 157 litres of 100LL AVGAS, but only the left wing tank was replenished because the right tank gauge indicated it was partially full.
- The pilot did not perform a fuel dip to verify quantities after the refueling process was completed.
- Total engine failure occurred during the emergency descent, leaving the aircraft without power to reach the intended diversion airfield.