Ice build-up caused fatal plane crash
SUTTON St James Pilotdied when the plane he built crashed after part of the engine iced up just after take-off.
David Mickleburgh (69) was killed when his Mickleburgh Sparrow crashed after running into difficulties almost immediately after leaving the runway on February 21.
An inquest at Spalding Magistrate's Court on Friday heard that the small plane reached about 400 to 500 feetoff the ground at Fenland Airfield in Holbeach St Johns, when Mr Mickleburgh made a mayday call to the control tower.
Rather than try and land on a ploughed field directly ahead Mr Mickleburgh, from Jarvis Gate, Sutton St James, turned the plane sharply to the left in an apparent bid to get back to another runway.
But the engine stopped and the plane plumetted, spinning several times before crashing into the ground at 60mph.
Emergency crews at the airfield rushed to the scene but there was nothing that could be done to save Mr Mickleburgh, who died of chest injuries.
Fellow pilot and fuel attendant Gary Nye said Mr Mickleburgh had arrived as normal in his trailer and put his plane together, as he intended to fly to Tibenham in Norfolk.
But it quickly became apparent something was wrong and Mr Nye said: "I saw the aircraft turn quite violently at about 400 feet, and there didn't seem to be any reason for it."
Air accident investigator Rex Parkinson said that the probable cause of the problem was a faulty carburettor, which meant the flap regulating air flow into the engine was stuck.
The cool air could have contributed to a rapid build-up of icing which led to a loss of power as the plane rose.
The part was encased so it could not be seen that it was stuck, and even pre-flight cockpit testing may not have revealed any problems.
But Mr Parkinson said: "As far as the aircraft was concerned it was very well constructed and the design was excellent. I have seen production aircraft in far worse condition than this one. Heshould have been proud."
Mr Mickleburgh had crashed the plane in rough ground in 2007, spinning it upside down and shattering the canopy, which investigator Tim Atkinson said could have influenced his decision to try the difficult manoeuvre to turn back to the runway at such a low height.
He said: "It places significant demands on a pilot's ability.
"He had not flown much in the previous weeks, which might have reduced his ability to cope with a very difficult factor (such as power loss)."
Coroner Maureen Taylor recorded a verdict of accidental death.
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Weather for Spalding
Thursday 24 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
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