Incident Details
On 17 April 2018 at 1100 UTC, a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-AXBW, was involved in an accident during takeoff from a grass runway at Wishanger Park, Frensham, Surrey. The flight was a private familiarisation training for a new syndicate member. The pilot in command (PIC), occupying the front seat, allowed the new syndicate member, in the rear seat, to control the takeoff. The wind was assessed at approximately 12 kt from 25° left, which was within but close to the crosswind limit for takeoff.
During the takeoff roll, the aircraft became airborne 5 kt below the normal unstick speed. The PIC called "airspeed" and was about to take control when a gust lifted the left wing. The right wing stalled, causing the aircraft to descend and turn to the right from a height of approximately 10 ft. The aircraft struck a wooden fence running parallel to the grass runway and came to rest on its nose with a buckled landing gear.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a 1940 DH82A Tiger Moth (serial no 83595) powered by one De Havilland Gipsy Major 1C piston engine. The nature of damage included damage to the landing gear, wings, propeller, and engine cowling.
Pilot Information
The PIC, aged 79, held a Private Pilot’s Licence and had 23,043 hours total flying experience, of which 114 hours were on the Tiger Moth type. His flying in the last 90 days was 1 hour, and in the last 28 days, 0 hours. The new syndicate member's experience was not specified. The PIC later considered that, although the new member showed good confidence in coping with gusty conditions, he should have demonstrated a gusty crosswind takeoff before allowing the less experienced pilot to take off in such conditions.
Outcome
There were no injuries to the two crew members; no passengers were on board. The aircraft sustained damage as described.