What happened
On 27 December 2011, a Piper PA-28-161 Cherokee Warrior II, registration G-BODC, was conducting a private recreational flight near Wetherby. The pilot was accompanied by three passengers for a local sightseeing tour. Following a routine taxi and run-up, the aircraft departed from Runway 29.
While climbing through approximately 1,100 feet, the engine lost power. The pilot attempted to restore power by advancing the throttle to 2,300 rpm, but the engine only produced a sputtering sound. As the aircraft descended to 700 feet and the propeller began windmilling, the pilot declared a MAYDAY to Leeds air traffic control.
Identifying a ploughed field near the A1(M) as the most suitable landing site, the pilot prepared for a forced landing. Despite the presence of trees and telegraph wires at the edge of the field, the pilot managed to reach the area. The aircraft touched down at a high pitch attitude without the use of flaps. During the landing roll, the nose gear folded back, and the left main landing gear sheared off, causing significant damage to the left wing, engine cowlings, and the forward fuselage. There were no injuries to the four occupants.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sudden loss of engine power and the subsequent landing sequence. An examination of the aircraft at a maintenance facility revealed no apparent mechanical defects in the engine. While the pilot had applied carburettor heat prior to the descent, the possibility of carburettor ice was considered a potential factor.
Findings
- The engine power loss was not attributed to any identifiable mechanical failure during the post-accident inspection.
- Carburettor ice was noted as a possible cause for the power loss.
- The pilot's previous practice of glide approaches assisted in the successful execution of the emergency landing.