Joe Broady
Airman 1st Class
- 112
- May 30, 2019
The UK AAIB has released their report on a Spitfire belly landing in May 2025.
"The aircraft had been flying for about 35 minutes when the pilot noticed a slight engine vibration. This was rapidly followed by a power loss. The pilot noted a distinct smell of fuel in the cockpit and suspected a fuel problem. He briefed his passenger and established a stable glide descent to carry out a wheels-up forced landing in a field. The aircraft landed on its underside and came to a stop. The passenger suffered minor injuries and the pilot was uninjured.
"The power loss was caused by the failure, probably age related, of a gasket, fitted within the pressure switch for the fuel low pressure warning light, which is attached to the carburettor. This allowed pressurised fuel to spray into the lower rear part of the engine bay, above and into, the air filter box. The fuel was then drawn into the air flow affecting the fuel air mixture, so the engine was running extremely rich. This resulted in the engine vibration and subsequent power loss."
The 49 year old pilot had an air transport certificate and about 60 hours on type. The report speaks well of his handling of the incident, including a decision to cruise at high enough altitude to provide time for decision making in case of trouble, avoidance of heavily populated areas, and regular forced landing practice.
AAIB investigation to Spitfire IXT, G-BMSB
Still pending is a report on the Spitfire Mk 26B fatal accident, Enstone Airfield, Oxfordshire, on 28 July 2024.
Anniversary Statement: G-ENAA, Spitfire Mk 26B
"The aircraft had been flying for about 35 minutes when the pilot noticed a slight engine vibration. This was rapidly followed by a power loss. The pilot noted a distinct smell of fuel in the cockpit and suspected a fuel problem. He briefed his passenger and established a stable glide descent to carry out a wheels-up forced landing in a field. The aircraft landed on its underside and came to a stop. The passenger suffered minor injuries and the pilot was uninjured.
"The power loss was caused by the failure, probably age related, of a gasket, fitted within the pressure switch for the fuel low pressure warning light, which is attached to the carburettor. This allowed pressurised fuel to spray into the lower rear part of the engine bay, above and into, the air filter box. The fuel was then drawn into the air flow affecting the fuel air mixture, so the engine was running extremely rich. This resulted in the engine vibration and subsequent power loss."
The 49 year old pilot had an air transport certificate and about 60 hours on type. The report speaks well of his handling of the incident, including a decision to cruise at high enough altitude to provide time for decision making in case of trouble, avoidance of heavily populated areas, and regular forced landing practice.
AAIB investigation to Spitfire IXT, G-BMSB
Still pending is a report on the Spitfire Mk 26B fatal accident, Enstone Airfield, Oxfordshire, on 28 July 2024.
Anniversary Statement: G-ENAA, Spitfire Mk 26B