What happened
On 4 July 2009, a De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-AXAN, was performing a private flight departing from Sandtoft Aerodrome in Lincolnshire. The weather conditions at the time of the departure were good. During the initial climb from Runway 23, the aircraft's engine began to falter at an altitude of approximately 250 feet, though it remained operational for a short period.
Believing the aircraft had sufficient clearance, the pilot turned toward the undershoot area. However, the engine subsequently suffered a complete loss of power. The pilot attempted to maintain flying speed by lowering the aircraft's nose, but determined that the field ahead was unsuitable for an emergency landing due to the presence of tall crops that would prevent a safe turnaround. Seeking an alternative, the pilot maneuvered toward a short, mown field to the right. During this maneuver, the aircraft struck a tree and became embedded in it. The two crew members on board were able to unstrap and exit the aircraft without injury.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sudden loss of power from the De Havende Gipsy Major 1F piston engine. The aircraft sustained extensive damage to the wings, the right engine bearer, and the left main landing gear, though no fire occurred following the impact. At the time of the report, the cause of the engine malfunction had not been identified by the pilot or the maintenance organization.