Introduction
On 3 May 2014 at 1100 hours UTC, a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-AHVU, sustained substantial damage during a landing accident at Rendcomb Airfield in Gloucestershire. The aircraft was engaged in a private flight with one pilot and one passenger aboard. Neither occupant suffered injury.
Accident Details
The aircraft was landing when it bounced and subsequently flipped inverted. The pilot reported that the landing bounce led to the aircraft turning over, resulting in extensive damage to multiple components.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
The Tiger Moth, manufactured in 1941 (serial number 84728), was powered by a single De Havilland Gipsy Major 1C piston engine. The commander, aged 59, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 1,748 total flying hours, including 49 hours on the Tiger Moth type. In the 90 days prior to the accident, he had flown 6 hours, with 3 hours in the last 28 days.
Damage
The accident caused damage to the propeller, cowls, wings, fuel tank, rear fuselage, and empennage.
Probable Cause
The pilot acknowledged that he had failed to set the aircraft's attitude correctly on landing, leading to the bounce and subsequent inversion.