AAIB investigation to Europa, G-BXTD

Forced landing after engine failure, Enstone Airfield, Oxfordshire, 28 July 2020.

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 8 April 2021

• Category: General aviation - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 28 July 2020
• Aircraft type: Europa
• Location: Enstone Airfield, Oxfordshire
• Registration: G-BXTD

Summary:

During a right turn and climb shortly after takeoff, the engine rapidly reduced speed and stopped. Unable to restart the engine, the instructor carried out a forced landing in a field. The aircraft was badly damaged but both occupants were uninjured.

The cause of the engine stoppage could not be positively determined. It was found that the bend radius of the oil pipe connected to the oil pump, narrowed its cross-section, restricting oil flow into the engine. However, there were also possible causal factors of corrosion, due to an extended period in which the engine was not used, and fatigue damage related to a previous incident.

Bulletin Correction

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Europa, G-BXTD Correction

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Europa, G-BXTD

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Published 8 April 2021