On May 3, 1984, a DE Havilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A (registration N82DS) was involved in an aviation accident near San Antonio, TX. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft crashed nose-down in a right spiral in a pasture, erupting in fire. An 11-year-old witness reported seeing the aircraft climb, turn, then engine stop before it nosed over. Pilots noted the aircraft stalls without warning, falling off on the right wing.
Accident Details
An aircraft crashed in an open pasture with trees on the western perimeter. The aircraft's attitude at impact was nose-down at an angle between 30 and 50 degrees in a right spiral. The main fuel tank, mounted on the top wing over and behind the engine, broke from its mount on impact and ruptured. A fire broke out and consumed the aircraft.
Witness Account
An 11-year-old boy reported seeing the aircraft climb over some trees, make a left turn, and then he heard the engine quit running. The aircraft nosed over sharply and descended below the trees. The witness then saw the fireball.
Pilot Statements
Pilots who had flown the aircraft stated that it stalls without warning if power is retarded and speed is dissipated, and that the aircraft always fell off on the right wing during the stall.