Incident Overview
On 6 July 2001 at 1130 UTC, a Piper PA-22-160 (registration G-ARSX) departed from Tayto Castle on a ferry flight to Newtownards, Northern Ireland. The pilot, aged 37 with 132 total flying hours (90 on type), held a Private Pilot's Licence. He conducted external and internal pre-flight actions, replenished engine oil, and checked fuel drains. After engine start, temperatures and pressures, magneto checks, and carburettor heat control were satisfactory. The aircraft taxied with the left fuel tank selected; engine run-up checks were carried out with the right tank selected.
Flight and Power Loss
The pilot took off into wind on heading 330° (surface wind 330°/10 kt) with the intention of turning right onto a track of 060°. In the climbing turn at approximately 200 feet above ground level, with about 10° of bank applied, the engine stopped. The pilot immediately checked magnetos, fuel selector, and throttle. Realising insufficient time for a restart, he continued turning right toward a clear area and executed a forced landing with second stage flap selected. The pilot, wearing a 4-point harness, vacated the aircraft with minor injuries to his back.
Post-Accident Examination
The aircraft's pilot notes describe the left fuel tank as the main tank and the right tank as the auxiliary. They state that when the contents of the auxiliary (right) tank are less than a third, it must be used in level flight only. The right tank capacity is 72 litres; at the time of the accident it contained 30 litres, which should have been adequate. Post-accident examination of the fuel system revealed evidence of fuel in the gascolator and a fully serviceable carburettor, but no evidence of fuel within the carburettor bowl. The aircraft had been parked in the open for a month prior to this flight, subject to a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. The pilot, in consultation with maintenance engineers, assessed that the cause of the power loss was probably due to a vapour lock within the fuel feed from the auxiliary (right) tank.
Probable Cause
The probable cause, as assessed by the pilot and maintenance engineers, was a vapour lock within the fuel feed from the auxiliary (right) tank.