What happened
On 5 June 1999, a DH 82A Tiger Moth, registration G-AJTW, was involved in an accident near Raydon Airfield in Suffolk during a private flight. The aircraft was visiting the airfield to participate in a photography session.
During the approach to Runway 27, the pilot was performing an offset landing to account for a crosswind. While attempting the approach, the aircraft's main wheels made contact with a crop of standing wheat located approximately 30 feet before the runway threshold. This contact created significant drag, causing the aircraft to lose forward momentum and drop onto its nose and port wing. The impact caused the aircraft to slew 180 degrees before coming to a halt on its left side.
An alternative account suggested the aircraft was performing a series of low-level fly-pasts for publicity purposes near grass-cutting machinery. In this version of events, the aircraft completed a turn and descended into the crop, leading to the aircraft flipping over.
There were two minor injuries reported, with both the pilot and the passenger escaping the wreckage with only bruises.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the pilot's accident report and subsequent telephone enquiries. Investigators examined the sequence of the approach and the impact with the vegetation. The investigation also noted that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) pursued legal proceedings against the pilot following the event. The pilot eventually pleaded guilty to endangerment under the Air Navigation Order and received a fine.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the misjudgment of the height of the wheat crop in the undershoot area.
- The contact with the standing wheat caused an immediate loss of airspeed and subsequent loss of control.
- The aircraft sustained severe damage during the impact and subsequent ground excursion.