Accident Overview
On 23 July 2005, a Piper PA-28-181 (registration G-BORS) was involved in an accident near Dalmally, Scotland. The flight, originating from Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire, had stopped at Cumbernauld before continuing to Oban. While cruising at 3,500 ft approximately 6 miles west of Dalmally, the engine lost power. The pilot conducted a forced landing in a small clearing near Loch Awe, resulting in damage to the aircraft but no injuries to the two occupants.
Flight History
The pilot and one passenger departed Fowlmere at 0755 UTC with full fuel tanks, planning a non-stop flight of about 3.5–4 hours. En route, the pilot landed at Cumbernauld at 1110 UTC for a break. Before departing Cumbernauld, the pilot visually checked the fuel tanks, noting the right tank had approximately half its contents and the left tank a lower quantity. The remaining flight to Oban was estimated at 45 minutes, and the pilot intended to use the right tank.
Departure from Cumbernauld
At Cumbernauld, the aircraft backtracked the runway following another aircraft. The pilot was asked to depart first, which may have caused a rushed pre-takeoff check. The pilot later commented that he might have inadvertently selected the left tank during power checks.
Loss of Power
After departing Cumbernauld at 1205 UTC, the pilot flew via Loch Lomond, deviating south due to low clouds, then climbing to 5,500 ft VFR on top of clouds before descending over Loch Fyne to 3,500 ft. Shortly after leveling off, the engine surged, coughed, and stopped. The pilot, who had selected carburettor heat during descent, believed carburettor icing was not a factor.
Forced Landing
The aircraft was over mountainous terrain up to 1,932 ft amsl. The pilot set up a glide toward Loch Awe, attempted restart (changing fuel tank selection during the attempt), but the engine did not restart. At about 1,200 ft, he made a MAYDAY call to Scottish Information. Spotting a small clearing in the tree line near the shore, he executed a tight 180° turn and touched down firmly on a small grass area. The nose and left main landing gear collapsed. After a short ground run, the aircraft stopped on a rising bank.
Post-Accident Observations
Both occupants exited unaided and received immediate assistance. The chief flying instructor recovered the aircraft and noted the left fuel tank was empty; approximately 30 litres of fuel were drained from the right tank. The fuel selector was found selected to the right tank. The accident occurred at 1239 UTC, 34 minutes after departing Cumbernauld. The aircraft had flown 2 hours 45 minutes on the left tank since the previous leg, half the calculated endurance.
Damage
The aircraft sustained damage to the propeller, nose wheel, left main landing gear (detached), creasing to the wingtip, and skin buckling in the tail cone area.