AAIB investigation to Pitts S-1S Pitts Special, G-MAVK

Forced landing due to fuel exhaustion, near Towcester, Northamptonshire, 21 October 2018.

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 9 May 2019

• Category: General aviation - fixed wing
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 21 October 2018
• Aircraft type: Pitts S-1S Pitts Special
• Location: Near Towcester, Northamptonshire
• Registration: G-MAVK

Summary:

During a flight from Turweston to Sywell, the engine stopped and the pilot made a forced landing in a field, north-west of Towcester. The field was too short to complete the landing and the aircraft came to rest in a hedge, damaging the wings. Following the recent installation of a new instrument panel, no markings had been applied to the sight-level fuel gauge which made fuel quantity management difficult. Although the pilot had received aerobatic training on the Pitts Special, it was not structured type-conversion training. The LAA has released a Technical Letter explaining the rules and giving guidance when transitioning to a new type.

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Pitts S-1S Pitts Special, G-MAVK 05-19

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Published 9 May 2019