What happened
On 19 June 2010, a Team Minimax 91, registration G-MWZM, was participating in the ‘Fly-UK 2010’ event. The aircraft, operated for private purposes, had previously flown to Old Sarum earlier that morning. After the pilot completed all necessary pre-flight inspections, the aircraft departed the airfield.
While cruising at approximately 800 ft agl, the engine began to lose power before eventually stopping. Faced with a sudden loss of thrust, the pilot had limited options and decided to perform a forced landing on a narrow strip of long grass situated next to a fence. During the final approach, the airspeed decreased to a critical level, causing the aircraft to stall at an altitude of between 6 and 10 ft. The subsequent impact with the ground caused damage to the landing gear and both wings. The pilot sustained no injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the engine failure and the subsequent loss of control. The inquiry focused on the mechanical state of the engine and the fuel system. It was noted that a fuel pipe within the wing tank had been recently replaced, leading to an investigation into whether this maintenance work played a role in the power loss.