Introduction
On 3 September 2014 at 1410 hours UTC, an accident occurred at Headcorn Aerodrome, Kent, involving two aircraft: a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-ACDC, and an Avions Pierre Robin CEA DR400/140B, registration G-BFJZ. The Tiger Moth had just landed and was taxiing to park. It carried one pilot and one passenger. The DR400 had no persons on board.
Details of the Accident
The pilot of G-ACDC reported that to reach his intended parking area, he needed to taxi along a concrete taxiway between a helicopter that had just landed and another aircraft that had just started its engine. The wind was 15 kt, and the Tiger Moth was taxiing downwind. The pilot found directional control difficult due to the tail skid and the concrete surface, which provided little friction to control speed. The aircraft had no brakes, and the pilot could not prevent taxiing into G-BFJZ.
Damage and Injuries
The collision damaged both aircraft: G-ACDC sustained damage to its propeller, cowling, and lower wing leading edge; G-BFJZ sustained damage to its propeller and engine cowling. The pilot of G-ACDC was unhurt. After making the aircraft safe, he and his passenger vacated it normally.
Aircraft Information
G-ACDC, a DH82A Tiger Moth, was manufactured in 1933 (serial no 3177) and powered by a De Havilland Gipsy Major 1F piston engine. G-BFJZ, an Avions Pierre Robin CEA DR400/140B, was manufactured in 1978 (serial no 1290) and powered by a Lycoming O-320-D2A piston engine.
Pilot Experience
The pilot of G-ACDC held a Commercial Pilot’s Licence, was 42 years old, and had 399 hours total flying experience (49 on type). His flying in the last 90 days and 28 days was 2 hours each.
Outcome
The pilot considered that, had he stopped earlier, he would not have been caught out taxiing on concrete in gusty conditions. The accident was reported via an Aircraft Accident Report Form submitted by the pilot.