What happened
On 25 July 2013, a Tecnam P2002-JF Sierra, registration G-UFCM, was conducting a training flight when the engine failed during the final approach phase. During the pre-flight inspection, the instructor noted an unusual engine roughness during a magneto check at 1,000 rpm, though the engine stabilized when the RPM was increased.
During the fourth circuit of the flight, the student pilot identified a discrepancy in the fuel gauge readings while performing downwind checks. The fuel selector was moved from the left tank to the right tank, and the instructor verified that fuel pressure remained steady. As the aircraft transitioned from the base leg to the final approach, the throttle was advanced to compensate for a descent below the intended flight path caused by an early flap deployment. Upon advancing the throttle, the engine spluttered and ceased operation.
The instructor declared a mayday and directed the aircraft toward a playing field in Newtownards, County Down, to avoid a group of children. The aircraft struck the ground and overturned into a wooded area. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained minor injuries, though the aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair.
The investigation
The investigation examined the engine'-s performance during the pre-flight checks and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators reviewed the flight sequence, noting that the instructor had intentionally demonstrated the effects of full flap configuration during the approach. Meteorological data from the Met Office indicated that the temperature was 19°C with a dewpoint of 15°C, suggesting a significant risk of carburettor icing during descent.
Findings
- The engine failure occurred specifically when the throttle was advanced during the final approach.
- The aircraft was flying below the correct flight path due to the early selection of full flaps.
- Carburettor icing was a potential contributing factor given the atmospheric conditions, though the exact cause of the engine stoppage—whether icing, fuel starvation, or spark plug fouling—could not be definitively determined.