What happened
On 2 May 1998, a Quad City Challenger II aircraft, registration G-MWFU, was conducting a private flight from Kemble back to Hoghton via Shoblen. During the flight, the pilot encountered significantly stronger northerly headwinds than had been experienced on the previous leg of the journey. After taking off from Shobdon, the pilot noted via GPS that ground speeds had dropped to approximately 30 mph.
While the pilot had recalculated the remaining flight time to ensure a 30-minute reserve, the increasing wind resistance caused the fuel consumption to exceed expectations. Approximately two hours and 16 minutes after departing Shobdon, the engine ceased operation while the aircraft was positioned over the northwest corner of Chorley. With the fuel gauge showing only 1/8 of the tank remaining and the destination only minutes away, the pilot attempted an approach to a field near Chorley Hospital. Due to the wind conditions, the aircraft could not reach the intended landing area, forcing the pilot to perform a sideslip to increase the descent rate. The aircraft landed heavily on a grass area within the hospital grounds, resulting in the collapse of the right landing gear and damage to the fuselage and fabric.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the fuel levels and the engine's performance during the flight. The pilot had previously noted engine roughness and hesitancy during pre-flight checks at Shobdon, which led to an extended period of ground running and maintenance, including cleaning the air filter and replacing spark plugs.
Upon inspecting the aircraft following the landing, it was discovered that the fuel tanks contained an insignificant amount of fuel, and both carburettors were empty. Additionally, investigators found evidence of oily fuel staining on the rear fuselage behind the engine.