What happened
On 31 July 2003, a Thruster TST Mk 1, registration G-MVOU, was conducting a private flight when the engine failed at an altitude of approximately 30 feet. The failure occurred immediately after the aircraft had lifted off from Horse Leys Farm in Burton-on-the-Wolds, Lincolnshire. Following the loss of power, the nose of the aircraft dropped. Because the aircraft was traveling at a low speed, the pilot could not adjust the pitch attitude sufficiently before the aircraft made contact with the runway. The impact occurred in a slightly nose-down position, causing significant damage to the landing gear and the fuselage, as well as bending one of the wing struts.
Although the pilot sustained minor injuries and required medical attention for back pain, they were able to exit the aircraft without assistance and were later cleared by hospital staff to return home.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft's Rotax 503 piston engine to determine the cause of the power loss. The inspection revealed that a white residue was partially obstructing the fuel pump. This blockage restricted the flow of fuel during periods of high RPM. It was determined that this residue likely originated from an old fuel pipe that had been recently installed in the engine system.