What happened
On 9 October 2005, a Thruster T600N, registration G-BZJC, was conducting a private flight from Sandown to Goodwood before beginning a return journey. During the flight, the engine began to run roughly and eventually ceased operation. The pilot, attempting to manage the emergency, turned towards the nearest land at Gosport and issued a 'Mayday' call to Solent Radar.
While attempting to find a suitable landing site, the pilot encountered a large cloud formation and descended to 3,000 ft to maintain visibility. Upon reaching this altitude, the pilot realised the aircraft was still too high and continued a descent to 2,000 ft. During the approach to a golf course at Stokes Bay, the aircraft experienced a significant loss of altitude and struck a tree. The aircraft became entangled in the tree with one wing touching the ground. The two persons on board escaped the wreckage without injury.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, fuel levels, and meteorological data. An inspection of the engine revealed no mechanical failure or obvious reason for the stoppage. While the fuel tank was found to be empty, there was no evidence of an external leak, and the pilot had departed with sufficient fuel to complete the flight. The investigation also reviewed radio communications, noting that while the initial 'Mayday' call was not heard by the radar controller, a second, lower-altitude call was received.
Findings
- The engine failure was not definitively established, though carburettor icing could not be ruled out due to atmospheric conditions.
- The engine was equipped with a carburettor heater using warm engine oil, but the engine was known to cool quickly, potentially rendering the heater ineffective at low power settings.
- There was no evidence of mechanical malfunction or fuel leaks, though fuel contamination could not be excluded.
- The pilot's descent to avoid cloud cover contributed to the loss of altitude prior to the impact.