What happened
On 25 March 2017, a Jodel D18, registration ZU-EAJ, was conducting a proving flight test from Wings Park Airfield in East London. The pilot was performing circuits as part of a Part 43 test flight. During the third circuit, the pilot approached runway 22 but elected to apply power at approximately 100 feet above ground level without touching down. After overflying runway 04, the pilot began a right turn to stay near the airfield.
While climbing at an altitude of roughly 500 feet, the engine ceased operation, accompanied by a red star warning light. The pilot attempted an emergency landing in an open field located south of the runway 09 threshold. During the descent, the aircraft struck an 8-foot-high game fence before coming to a halt near the N6 highway. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft suffered damage to its propeller, landing gear, and the leading edges of the wings.
The investigation
The investigation into the incident focused on the sudden loss of engine power during the climb. Physical examination of the aircraft's fuel system was conducted following the recovery of the plane to a maintenance hangar. Investigators examined the carburetor and the fuel delivery components to determine why the engine stopped.
Findings
Technical analysis established that the engine failure was caused by fuel starvation. During the post-incident inspection, investigators discovered debris in the form of chips within the float bowl of the carburetor rubber hose. It is believed that these chips likely obstructed the fuel jet, preventing the necessary fuel flow to the engine during the flight.