What happened
On 25 September 2006, a Socata TB10 Tobago, registration G-JURE, was conducting a night currency flight near Liverpool. The pilot had not flown at night for nearly three months and was performing a routine flight towards Chester. After descending to 1,500 ft near Oulton Park, the pilot noticed a change in engine noise, followed by a significant loss of engine power.
Despite attempting to restore power by adjusting the throttle and mixture, the engine failed to recover. The pilot transmitted a Mayday call and established a glide towards the forest floor. The aircraft struck a tree canopy near Delamere, Cheshire, and came to rest in an upright position. A post-crash fire immediately ignited the fuselage. Because the door latch was engulfed in flames, the pilot was forced to exit through a perspex window. The pilot sustained serious burn injuries and was treated in intensive care.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage of the Socata TB10 Tobago and found that the impact had destroyed the fuel lines, selector valve, and much of the instrumentation. While the engine and propeller showed no signs of mechanical failure or oil fouling, the investigation focused on the possibility of carburettor icing.
Technical analysis of the engine controls indicated that the throttle was at 80% and the carburettor heat was selected. The investigators also reviewed the atmospheric conditions, noting a temperature of +16ºC and a dew point of +12ºC. The investigation also considered the pilot's flight profile and the challenges of performing a forced landing in total darkness.