What happened
On 16 May 1998, a Rearwin 175, registration G-BTGI, was performing a private pleasure flight from a grass strip at Lower Botrea Farm, Newbridge, Punctance, toward Lands End. The weather at the time of the departure was clear with no cloud, a temperature of 18°C, and a light wind from 010° at 10 knots.
During the takeoff roll, approximately 300 yards from the start of the strip, the engine experienced a misfire. The pilot responded by immediately reducing the throttle and bringing the aircraft back down onto the grass strip. As the aircraft touched down, it weathercocked into the wind and veered left, exiting the strip into longer grass. This resulted in a ground loop that caused the aircraft to invert. There were no injuries to the pilot, and the aircraft sustained minor damage.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft following the incident and discovered that the impact had caused the oil cooler to displace, which subsequently caused significant damage to the carburettor. Because the carburettor was too heavily damaged to be assessed for any pre-existing defects, investigators could not determine a specific mechanical cause for the initial engine misfire.
Findings
- The engine misfire occurred just as the aircraft was about to lift off.
- The aircraft's movement off the strip was caused by weathercocking into the wind during the aborted takeoff.
- Carburettor icing was considered a possible contributing factor, as the recorded temperature and dew point levels could have allowed for icing to occur prior to takeoff.