What happened
On 26 July 1998, a Rans S6-ESD, registration G-MYLW, was conducting a private flight from Priory Farm to Shipdham Aerodrome. While cruising at approximately 1,300 feet, two miles south-west of Wymondham, the aircraft experienced a loud thud accompanied by violent engine vibrations. The pilot initially attempted to manage the situation by retarding the throttle, but after temperatures and pressures remained within normal limits, the throttle was advanced again. This resulted in a second period of intense vibration, prompting the pilot to close the throttle and prepare for an emergency landing.
Descending to roughly 1,000 feet, the pilot established a glide at 55/60 mph and identified a mown grass strip as a potential landing site. During the approach at approximately 400 feet, the pilot identified two sets of power cables crossing the intended path at right angles. To avoid these obstacles, the pilot executed an early turn. This maneuver left the aircraft too high to complete the landing within the available distance. After performing a side slip to reduce altitude, the aircraft's speed increased, and the pilot ultimately landed on a patch of cut hay at the far end of the intended strip. The aircraft came to rest after rotating 180 degrees to the right from the original approach heading.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft following the substantial damage sustained during the landing. The inspection revealed that the propeller spinner was missing. Furthermore, one of the wooden propeller blades had sustained damage, and a fragment of the blade was found lodged in the aircraft's right-wing rigging. The investigation also noted that the pilot had inspected and cleaned the propeller and spinner during pre-flight preparations and had not identified any pre-existing issues.