DITCHING OF LONG-EZ G-BLZM ON 26TH JULY 2001
By Tim Bailey
The
purpose of the flight was to complete the Permit to Fly test flight for the
Popular Flying Association of the United Kingdom. The first attempt on the 14th
of July was abandoned because of a strong burning smell in the cockpit shortly
after take-off. Inspection of the engine did not reveal a cause, so the smell
was assumed to be caused by excess brake fluid spilled when the right brake was
bled before the flight. The second flight on the same day was continued after
the same smell was noticed for a few seconds after take-off but then cleared.
The whole of the test flight schedule was completed except the high speed run to
Vne. This was because the oil temperature and pressure was erratic and it was
considered unwise to operate the engine at full power. The owners were advised
to replace the oil temperature and pressure probes and gauges in matched pairs
to rule out any indication problems. This resulted in normal oil temperature and
pressure indications.
The
third flight on the 26th July (after an extension was issued by the
PFA) was to complete the Vne run. The engine started reluctantly and was rough
running for a minute or so after start. The pre-flight engine power check was
normal with all indications normal. The take-off was normal with a hint of the
burning smell for a few seconds after take-off. The climb to 1500’ at full
throttle was normal and all engine indications normal. The oil pressure was
noted at 65psi and the oil temperature at 210f as the nose was lowered to
accelerate to 190kts.
At 1000’ and 170kts the engine lost power and shuddered. The speed was converted into altitude and a turn back to the airfield made while a MAYDAY call was made to Shoreham (EGKA). Carb heat was applied. The fuel selector was switched from right to left (which were both almost full). The mags were switched L/R/BOTH. Nothing gave any hope of the engine restarting, so Shoreham were advised that a ditching would be made in the area of Shoreham Harbour.
The
canopy safety catch was released, straps were already tight. The nose wheel was
not extended because of the ratchet modification requiring both hands to release
the ratchet and extend the nose wheel. It was considered more important to “fly
the plane”. The aircraft would only slow to 60kts and then descended at
300’/min. This was noted on the “stall” test and the aircraft would not porpoise
as with my own VariEze. This made the ditching less than ideal, but the sea was
calm and the wind only 160/4. The beach was very busy with swimmers and an
inflatable pleasure craft was heading west about 200 yards off the coast. My
planned ditching position was to be far enough out to avoid the swimmers and
close enough to the pleasure craft in order the get assistance.
On
impact with the water, the main landing gear separated and was found floating 25
yards behind the aircraft. The nose did not appear to pitch down at that moment,
but there must have been some effect. Deceleration was very rapid and water
rushed into the cockpit. When the aircraft had come to rest, the nose and the
instrument panel bulkhead had detached and were floating away from the rest of
the aircraft, which was intact and floating.
The
Canopy opened normally and escape onto the wing was easy. The pleasure boat
arrived very quickly and the aircraft was towed 150 yards to the beach.
This aircraft had only flown 220 hours since 1986 and was well known for being
hangar bound during the flying season. The engine had just been zero lifed and
the aircraft sold to a group who had employed a reputable engineer to make the
aircraft airworthy. Initial attempts to start the engine failed and the engineer
who overhauled the engine was required to rectify the problem. Once started, the
engine ran well once warmed-up, but often hesitated at 1500 RPM when the
throttle was opened, but not on the day of the flight. The weather conditions
were excellent…160/4 +26c 1019 clear sky and low humidity, so carb icing seems
unlikely. The prop was still rotating slowly on impact, one blade snapped off at
the hub and was floating near the aircraft, the other was still attached but
split lengthways several times. The concerns about the oil system had been
satisfied, so the cause of the engine failure is likely to be fuel, air or
ignition related. A previous report of a collapsed air duct on another Long EZ
springs to mind, but that will have been destroyed on impact. The Air Accident
Investigation Branch does not wish to have the engine stripped down, so the
cause will probably remain a mystery.
The pilot was Tim Bailey, a VariEze owner with 450 hours on type and a total of over 13,000 hours. His left ankle and his left thumb were badly swollen and his right leg was gashed. The aircraft has been written off.