What happened
On 18 July 2010, a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-ADGT, was performing a flight at Lashenden (Headcorn) Aerodrome in Kent. The purpose of the flight was a check flight to endorse a club pilot for crosswind operations. During the flight, the pilot positioned the aircraft for a final approach to Runway 29.
As the aircraft approached the runway, it drifted to the right of the centerline and maintained an excessive height. In an attempt to correct the drift, the pilot lowered the into-wind wing. This action caused the sink rate to increase, leading to a touchdown at approximately 60 kt that resulted in a bounce toward the right side of the runway centerline. Following this bounce, the pilot initiated a go-around. Despite applying full power, the aircraft continued to drift right in a nose-high attitude. The right wingtip eventually struck the ground, triggering a ground loop that sent the aircraft into the airfield boundary hedge. The impact caused the wings and landing gear to separate from the airframe, and the forward fuselage and propeller sustained damage. Although a fuel leak occurred due to damaged lines, no fire broke out. Both crew members sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. Investigators examined the flight sequence, the meteorological conditions at the time, and the mechanical state of the aircraft following the impact.