What happened
On 17 April 2007, a Pulsar aircraft, registration G-BULM, departed Lymm Dam for a short flight to the Dairy House Farm airstrip near Nantwich. Shortly after takeoff, witnesses observed the engine coughing twice before the propeller stopped rotating. The pilot attempted to turn the aircraft back toward the departure runway, but the aircraft lost altitude during the manoeuvre. At approximately 60 feet above the ground, the aircraft entered a tight right-hand turn and impacted a field north of the airstrip. The impact was characterized by a near-vertical pitch attitude, causing the aircraft to be destroyed and resulting in one fatality.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the wreckage and the engine, which had been stripped and tested. While the engine showed no signs of mechanical seizure or overheating, the investigation could not definitively establish why the power loss occurred. The engine's ignition system and spark plugs were found to be in satisfactory condition. Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance history, noting that while the owner had previously sought help for electrical charging issues, there was no documented evidence of engine difficulties prior to this flight. The investigation also looked into the aircraft's weight and balance, noting that a non-standard baggage compartment modification had been installed, though the aircraft's center of gravity was calculated to be within acceptable limits on the day of the accident.
Findings
- The engine lost power during the initial climb, though the specific cause of the power loss remained undetermined.
- The pilot attempted to return to the departure runway following the engine failure.
- The aircraft lacked sufficient altitude to complete the turn back to the airfield.
- The aircraft entered a stall and departed from controlled flight at a very low height.
- The impact sequence and wreckage distribution were consistent with a stall during an attempt to stretch the glide toward the runway.