Engine failure behind South Lake Plane Crash in 2013

AN engine failure is responsible for forcing a home-made aircraft to crash land on a South Lake oval in 2013, an investigation has found.

Pilot Tony White and his passenger Ralph Lerch were left with severe burns after they crash-landed the Glasair III aircraft on an oval on the afternoon of December 9.

A subsequent report by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, released today, confirmed the engine stopped without warning shortly after take-off from Jandakot Airport.

Modifications to the electronic ignition system during the plane's construction are believed to be behind the engine failure.

"In this case, damage to the aircraft's modified single wiring harness resulted in the failure of an otherwise redundant system, with near-fatal consequences," the report reads.