What happened
On 7 April 2007, a Rans S10 Sakota, registration G-BWIA, was performing a private flight near Kingsnorth, Kent. After completing two circuits without incident, the pilot was climbing away from the airfield following a touch-and-go landing when the Rotax 582 engine began to splutter. Despite attempts to adjust the throttle, the engine ceased operation. Unable to restart the powerplant, the pilot executed a forced landing into a field containing knee-high rape seed. The pilot exited the aircraft via the hatch without injury, though the landing gear collapsed upon impact, causing damage to the fuselage belly and the lower cowling.
The investigation
The AAIB investigation focused on the circumstances leading to the engine stoppage. The pilot noted that while the exact reason for the failure could not be determined, he considered possibilities such as carburettor icing or fuel system vapour lock. Meteorological data from Gatwick, Lydd, and Biggin Hill indicated ambient temperatures of approximately +13ºC with a dewpoint between +3ºC and +5ºC. The investigation also reviewed the engine's operating manual, which warns that the Rotax 582 is susceptible to sudden power loss due to icing. The aircraft owner had previously intended to install carburettor body heaters to mitigate such risks.
Findings
- The engine failure occurred during the climb phase following a touch-and-go maneuver.
- No definitive cause for the engine failure was identified due to the lack of identifiable symptoms following the event.
- Atmospheric conditions, specifically the temperature and dewpoint, were within a range where moderate carburettor icing is a known risk for this engine type.