History of the Flight
The pilot, a 63-year-old private pilot with 388 hours total (380 on type), arranged a recreational flight for three friends in the Wetherby area. Pre-flight checks were conducted with particular care as one passenger had previous piloting experience and the others were interested in taking flying lessons. The engine start, taxi, and run-up checks were normal. The pilot departed from Runway 29, climbing to 1,000 feet and then to 1,500 feet. He remained at this altitude while transiting to Wetherby, approximately five minutes away, where he reduced power to 1,700–1,800 rpm and descended toward 1,000 feet for a better view, placing the carburettor heat control to hot.
At about 1,100 feet, the pilot advanced the throttle lever to bring the speed back to 2,300 rpm, but each attempt resulted in what he described as "a sputtering sound." He proceeded to carry out engine failure checks as taught, but without success. At about 700 feet, with the propeller windmilling, he set up for a forced landing and broadcast a MAYDAY call to Leeds, who responded with wind speed and direction. He informed his passengers of the situation.
Emergency Landing
The best available field appeared to be a ploughed field near the A1(M), about half a mile ahead and slightly to the right, with trees and telegraph wires at the near end. The pilot was just able to reach the field, but the length of glide prevented deployment of any flap. He touched down at a high pitch attitude with the stall warner sounding. He held the nose off as long as possible to avoid a possible cartwheel on the muddy ground. After approximately 70 to 80 yards, the nosewheel touched down, bringing the aircraft to a sudden stop. The nose landing gear folded back, the left main landing gear sheared off and damaged the upper surface of the left wing, and there was extensive further damage to the propeller, engine cowlings, and forward fuselage. When the aircraft came to a halt, all four occupants exited in a calm manner without injury.
Post-Accident Examination
During subsequent examination at the aircraft's maintenance facility, the cause of the engine failure remained obscure, with no apparent mechanical defect identified. The pilot was confident that he had applied carburettor heat before reducing power to descend to 1,000 feet, but later commented that in similar circumstances he would climb to and maintain a greater altitude (say 3,000 feet) to allow more time to diagnose and remedy power loss and more options for a forced landing. He also noted that practising glide approaches from the circuit had helped his judgement of height and distance during the real emergency.