Aircraft and Flight Details
The aircraft involved was a 1974 Reims Cessna FRA150L Aerobat, registration G-BCKU, powered by a single Continental Motors Corp O-240-A piston engine. The private flight took place on 25 November 2013 at 0755 UTC, with the pilot as the sole occupant. The 60-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had 458 hours of total flying experience, including 324 hours on type. He had flown 56 hours in the last 90 days and 20 hours in the last 28 days.
Accident Sequence
The pilot was conducting a routine flight to check livestock on his farm. At a height of approximately 500 ft above ground level, the engine lost power. The pilot elected to force-land in a plantation of mature Sitka Spruce trees. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and came to rest pitched vertically nose-down among the trees. Despite the damage, the pilot was unhurt and described the forced landing as “comfortable.”
Pilot Assessment
The pilot expressed the opinion that carburettor icing may have been responsible for the engine failure, despite having taken normal precautions to prevent it.
Damage and Outcome
The aircraft was assessed as damaged beyond economic repair. No injuries were reported. The incident was reported by the pilot via an Aircraft Accident Report Form, and the investigation was documented in AAIB Bulletin 4/2014.
Investigation Notes
No probable cause was officially determined by the investigation; the pilot’s opinion concerning carburettor icing was noted but not confirmed.