Whitaker MW6 Merlin (Modified), G-MYZA, 13 July 2005

• From: Air Accidents Investigation Branch
• Published: 10 December 2014

• Category: Sport aviation and balloons
• Report type: Bulletin - Correspondence investigation
• Date of occurrence: 13 July 2005
• Aircraft type: Whitaker MW6 Merlin (Modified)
• Location: Airstrip near Newent, Gloucestershire
• Registration: G-MYZA

Whitaker MW6 Merlin (Modified), G-MYZA

Summary:

On takeoff the engine stopped when the aircraft passed about 200 ft agl. During the ensuing forced landing it stalled closed to the ground causing it to crash. The engine was operating on Mogas and the ambient temperature at the time was about 24°C. Prior to take off the aircraft had also been parked for about thirty minutes with the engine still hot from a previous flight. It is thought that parking the aircraft under such conditions led to fuel vapourising in the fuel system, leading to vapour lock during the subsequent take off. The CAA and PFA state a maximum fuel tank temperature of 20°C for operating on Mogas.

Download report:

Whitaker MW6 Merlin (Modified), G-MYZA 2-06.pdf (224.98 kb)

Published 10 December 2014