AAIB investigation to Flight Design CTSW, G-KEVK

Engine failure and forced landing, 4.5 miles North of Sywell Airfield, NN6 0BN, 15 September 2018.

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 10 January 2019

• Category: Sport aviation and balloons
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 15 September 2018
• Aircraft type: Flight Design CTSW
• Location: 4.5 miles north of Sywell Aerodrome
• Registration: G-KEVK

Summary:

After completing a local flight, the occupants of G-KEVK were positioning the aircraft for a return to Sywell Airfield. Approximately 5 nm from Sywell, the engine ‘coughed’ and then stopped. The pilot flying positioned the aircraft for a forced landing in a stubble field. After landing the nose wheel struck a tractor furrow and the nose landing gear collapsed. The aircraft came to rest upside down in the field. Neither occupant was injured.

The cause of the engine failure could not be positively determined although it was suspected that it was caused by issues with the fuel supply. It was possible that there was water in the fuel which the pilots were unable to check, or that air was drawn into the fuel system due to a low fuel level and the design of the system.

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Flight Design CTSW, G-KEVK 01-19

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Glossary of abbreviations

Published 10 January 2019