Accident Details
On 6 August 1998 at 1157 UTC, a Piper PA-28-181, registration G-NERI, was involved in an accident approximately 1 mile east of Bristol Airport. The aircraft was on a solo private flight from Aberdeen to Bristol. The pilot, aged 37 and holding a Private Pilot's Licence, had 144 hours total flying experience, with 90 hours on type. The flight had been uneventful until the final approach phase.
Sequence of Events
The pilot departed Aberdeen at 0835 UTC for a VFR flight to Bristol, following a planned route via St Abbs Head, Newcastle, Gamston, and Daventry. About 30 miles from Bristol, the pilot contacted ATC and received joining instructions. At approximately 8 miles, he was transferred to Tower frequency and reported right base for Runway 27, visual with the airfield and traffic ahead.
While turning finals, the pilot reported 'the engine started to wind down'. Advancing and retarding the throttle had no effect. The pilot attempted to avoid a house roof to reach a clearing, and made a Mayday call indicating engine failure. ATC acknowledged, activated accident procedures, and stopped road traffic on the A38. The pilot stated he would not make the runway. The aircraft was observed landing in a field east of the A38, about 1 nm short of the threshold, at 1157 UTC. A Robinson R22 helicopter confirmed the accident and guided rescue vehicles. The pilot was cut from the fuselage.
Pilot and Flight Planning
The pilot's flight log was compiled on a pro-forma for a Piper PA-28R-201T, with cruise speed and fuel consumption figures for that type. The log included track distances but lacked cruising speed, forecast winds, or fuel calculations. Times noted were 9.40 and 12.50 (local), with a difference of 3.10 hours. The aircraft had departed with full fuel tanks. The pilot recorded fuel tank selection changes:
- Departure on right tank at 0835 UTC
- Change to left tank at 1020 UTC
- Change back to right tank at 1055 UTC
- Change back to left tank at 1125 UTC
- Change back to right tank at 1205 UTC
- Accident on right tank at 1157 UTC (note: time discrepancy)
Total time on left tank: 1 hour 15 minutes; on right tank: 2 hours 7 minutes. Average ground speed based on planned route was 114.4 kt.
Engine and Fuel Information
After the accident, fuel was noted leaking from the inverted left wing fuel tank filler at about 15 drops per minute. Approximately 1 gallon was recovered from the right tank and 5 gallons from the left tank. The engine was not seized and showed no external mechanical failure.
The aircraft owner reported that a fuel consumption of 38 litres per hour (approximately 8 gallons per hour) was typical when cruising at 110 kt with mixture leaned. Usable fuel per tank when full was 85.5 litres (about 5 litres unusable), giving about 2 hours 15 to 20 minutes per tank. The pilot's fuel management suggests total endurance of approximately 4 hours 30 minutes, but the flight time was about 3 hours 10 minutes, leaving a reserve.
Weather Aftercast
An aftercast of winds during the flight indicated:
- At 2,000 feet: 300°/15 kt, becoming 270°/30 kt over the Borders, then gradually 280°/22 kt in the Bristol area.
- At 5,000 feet: 270°/25 kt, becoming 270°/40 kt over the Borders, then gradually 300°/15 kt in the Bristol area.
Route segment tracks from Aberdeen to Daventry (308 nm) varied between 167° and 190°M, and from Daventry to Bristol was 236°M. These winds resulted in little difference between airspeed and groundspeed for most of the flight but a headwind on the final segment.