AAIB investigation to Piper PA-28-161, G-BZDA
Loss of power after takeoff, White Waltham, Berkshire, 13 September 2020.
Summary:
Climbing through 100 ft after takeoff from Runway 29R at White Waltham Airfield, G-BZDA’s engine abruptly ran down. The instructor took control from the student, lowered the aircraft’s nose and looked for a suitable landing area ahead. As the nose was lowered, the engine recovered to full power, so the instructor raised the nose to climb away again but the engine ran down a second time and stopped. The instructor turned the aircraft left towards open ground and carried out a forced landing. The student and instructor were unhurt and vacated the aircraft without assistance.
The loss of power resulted from the gascolator drain being inadvertently locked open leading to partial fuel starvation. Following this accident, the CAA released a Safety Notice reminding owners and operators of this potential hazard for aircraft fitted with lockable gascolator drains and recommending replacement with ‘suitable, non-locking alternatives.’ The CAA also undertook to review the risk associated with lockable gascolator drains against current Airworthiness Directive criteria.
Download report: