What happened
On 13 May 2016, a De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-AMCK, departed Branscome Airfield for a short-duration private flight to Dunkeswell. The pilot, flying at an altitude of approximately 1,300 ft, was following a routine of transiting below 1,500 ft to assist local air traffic control. Approximately two minutes into the flight, the aircraft's engine suffered a loss of power. Unable to restore power, the pilot identified a nearby field for an emergency landing.
During the approach to the field, the pilot had to maneuver the aircraft to avoid a high Devon hedgebank. This maneuver resulted in a left-wing-low attitude immediately prior to touchdown, causing the aircraft to ground loop. The impact resulted in the aircraft being damaged beyond economic repair. The pilot sustained one serious injury, specifically a cracked vertebra, which required surgical intervention, though he eventually achieved a full recovery.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the power loss and the subsequent landing sequence. The pilot noted that while a carburettor issue seemed a likely cause for the engine failure, the extent of the damage to the engine components prevented a definitive mechanical analysis. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight path and the physical obstacles present at the landing site.