What happened
On 27 July 2004, a Reims Cessna FA152, registration G-BGLN, was conducting a private navigation flight from Bournemouth to Teesside Airport. During the flight, approximately 16 miles south-southeast of Teesside, the engine began operating roughly. The pilot attempted to rectify the issue by selecting carburettor heat, which briefly stabilized the engine before power loss recurred.
As the aircraft struggled to maintain altitude, the pilot contacted Teesside Approach Radar to declare a PAN-PAN emergency. Shortly after, the engine ceased functioning entirely, prompting a Mayday declaration. The pilot attempted to manage the descent by using full flaps and performing several S-turns to reach a suitable landing site. The aircraft touched down midway through a field at 70 kt, but continued along the ground at approximately 40 kt until it struck a hedge at the far end of the field. The impact caused the nose wheel to collapse, leaving the aircraft in a nose-down position. Both the pilot and the passenger, who were wearing four-point harnesses, escaped the wreckage without injury.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the engine failure and the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident. A representative from the pilot's flying club inspected the site the following day and confirmed that fuel was present in the engine fuel drain.
Meteorological data from a radiosonde ascent near the crash site indicated a moist airmass at 6,000 feet. Additionally, temperature and dew point readings recorded at Teesside at 15:50 hrs were 22°C and 12°C, respectively. When these figures were applied to a carburettor icing chart, the conditions were identified as being conducive to moderate icing during cruise power settings.