What happened
On 26 December 1997, a Piper J3C-65 Cub, registration G-KIRK, was conducting a private flight when the engine ceased operation during the landing phase. After crossing the Bristol Channel, the pilot had positioned the aircraft at 500 feet agl on a downwind leg, intending to land in a field located west of Brent Knoll. As the pilot reduced throttle, the engine stopped.
In an attempt to manage the situation, the pilot turned the aircraft into the wind. During this maneuver, the aircraft had completed approximately 160 degrees of the turn when the main landing gear made contact with the ground. At the moment of impact with the ground, the aircraft was traveling at roughly 15 to 18 mph and was positioned about 30 feet from a hedge. The aircraft subsequently struck the hedge and came to a halt. There were no injuries to the two occupants, though they experienced some difficulty exiting the cockpit. The pilot successfully used the radio to relay a message to Cardiff Airport Approach, confirming that the landing had occurred without fire or injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft at an engineering facility. The inspection revealed that the fuel tanks contained an adequate amount of fuel and the engine was capable of rotation. Following the installation of a different propeller, several engine power runs were performed, which yielded no mechanical faults.
Meteorological data for the time of the accident was retrieved from the Meteorological Office. The surface conditions indicated a wind from 270 degrees at 12 knots, with gusts reaching 25 to 30 knots. At the 2,000-foot level, winds were significantly stronger at 35 knots.
Findings
- The engine failure occurred as the pilot reduced power for the landing.
- Serious carburettor icing was probable at any power setting, based on the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident.
- The aircraft sustained damage to the left-hand landing gear, the right-hand wing strut, the propeller, the fuselage fabric, and the cabin windows.