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Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative: The aircraft force landed onto farm field terrain in Kenwick, southeast of Ellesmere in Shropshire, England. The biplane came to rest inverted, sustaining substantial damage, and the sole pilot onboard was not injured. The reasons of the emergency landing are unknown. According to the following press release from Shropshire Fire & Rescue Service (SFRS):
"At 14:00 on Friday, 17 March, 2017, SFRS Fire Control received a call reporting an incident classified as Aircraft Light in Ellesmere. 8 fire appliances including the Foam Pod and the Landrover Pump were mobilised from Ellesmere, Prees and Wem. An Operations officer was in attendance.
West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Mercia Police also attended. An MOD spokesperson said: “Staff in the Air Traffic Control tower at Royal Air Force Shawbury were already in contact with a light aircraft which was routing to land at Sleap airfield when the pilot issued a MAYDAY radio call. The staff immediately contacted the Distress and Diversion Cell based at the London Area Traffic Control Centre, which is located at Swanwick, near Southampton, along with local civilian emergency services.
Additional assistance was requested from a light civilian aircraft, which was transiting the area to check the location of the incident. A Coastguard helicopter who was also in the area heard the mayday call and was directed to the incident by controllers.
The Royal Air Force Shawbury controlling staff was in constant communication with the civilian emergency services, ensuring that rescue teams were quickly on the scene to deal with the incident. We hope that the pilot has not suffered serious injuries during this incident."
The incident was declared as "Stop" (=Completed) by SFRS at 14:49 hours.
UPDATE: The official AAIB report into the accident was published on August 10, 2017, and the following is a summary from that report...
"Aircraft overturned during a forced landing following engine failure, Cockshutt, Ellesmere, Shropshire, 17 March 2017.
The pilot intended to make a short flight from Rednal to Sleap as part of the aircraft’s annual maintenance check. He reported that engine operation on the ground was normal but 'oil pressure was slow to increase, and was giving a fluctuating indication'.
The fluctuations continued when airborne but, with temperature indicating normal, he requested a Basic Service from RAF Shawbury and set off towards Sleap. Almost immediately thereafter the indicated oil pressure decayed to zero, but the temperature was “still in the middle of the green arc”. He advised Shawbury of his intention to return to Rednal with a possible engine failure. As he initiated a turn the engine began to lose power and vibrate and on rolling wings level at approximately 1,200 feet agl, it ceased producing power.
Unable to make the runway, the pilot carried out a forced landing in a wheat field. During the landing the left wingtip and aileron spade caught an undulation and the aircraft came to rest inverted. The pilot opened the canopy and exited without assistance.
It was reported that preliminary examination of the engine confirmed a mechanical failure associated with the No 4 cylinder connecting rod bearing."
Damage sustained to airframe: Per the AAIB report "Engine failure and extensive airframe damage"