Taken from Flight Global archives
piper comanche | 1965 | 2907 | Flight Archive
Comanche Accident at Cork The report has now been published*
of investigations into the accident at Cork Airport last August 8
involving Piper Comanche G-ARFY, in which the private pilot,
Mr James Coupe, and three passengers were killed. The aircraft
had taken off normally at the start of a local flight when, at about
100ft, a stream of black smoke was seen issuing from below it.
The pilot called the control tower and said he wished to "cut back
to the field." As the Comanche was being positioned for an
approach the smoke appeared to get thicker; during a steep turn
it ceased and the engine stopped or lost power completely. The
aircraft slipped out of the turn and crashed.
The inspectors considered loss of control during the turn to have
been the probable cause of the accident, though engine malfunction
as a result of an over-rich mixture was adduced as the contributory
cause. AH the sparking plugs were found to be heavily sooted and
some badly oiled. On dismantling of the carburettor the mixture
control was found stuck in the rich position and very difficult to
operate; and the accelerator pump delivery restriction valve was
stuck open by foreign matter. The air intake was badly crushed
by the impact and it was not possible to determine if the vanes
had been removed in accordance with Piper recommendations
This points you to the accident reports.
Browse the collection | The National Archives
Hope this is of interest to you.