The cause of a plane crash in which a man was "seriously injured" has been revealed in a government report.
On Monday (June 20), the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) released a report of its findings into the incident, which saw a plane lose power shortly after take-off in Upminster on April 4 last year.
This caused it to stall, spin and crash at Damyns Hall Aerodrome at around noon.
The AAIB found the light aircraft, a Jabiru UL-450, did not climb as expected and at 300 feet the pilot realised something was wrong.
Despite this, he tried to remain airborne since there was not enough height or speed to return to the runway nor suitable landing sites available, the AAIB said.
"The engine then stopped, the aircraft stalled and entered a spin before striking the ground," the report read, resulting in a man suffering potentially life-changing injuries.
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The AAIB said the crash, which also caused minor injuries to a woman, was likely caused by wear and tear to a part near the engine of plane G-CDFK.
An age-related split in the rubber coupling which attached the carburettor to an engine chamber "probably" caused the loss of power, the AAIB said.
A carburettor is used by an internal combustion engine which mixes air with a spray of liquid fuel.
No problems were found with the engine during a 100-hour service or subsequent check flight in January 2023, the report found.
However, the location of the rubber coupling and its mounting clips made an inspection "problematic," the AAIB said.
The engine manual stated that the coupling had a 1000-hour, or five-year life, but there was no evidence the coupling had been replaced since 2006, the year the aircraft was built.
Two safety recommendations have now been made to the UK Civil Aviation Authority to mandate a life limit for the Jabiru carburettor coupling.
The recommendations also consider mandating a life limit for similar parts used on other types of engine and aircraft.
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