What happened
On 17 August 2003, a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-AHIZ, was participating in a formation flight at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire. The pilot was leading a group of similar aircraft during an approach to a grass runway. During the initial approach to Runway 01, the pilot encountered a tailwind and a loss of altitude, prompting a decision to perform a go-around.
Following the missed approach, the pilot repositioned for a curved final approach toward the reciprocal runway, Runway 19. While the pilot was aware of a specific tree and a marked post along the approach path, the aircraft's lower right wing struck an additional, unmarked post just before touchdown. The aircraft completed the landing without further complications and taxied to the parking area.
The investigation
Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the impact and the pilot's flight management. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained a broken lower right wing spar as a result of the collision. The pilot, who held a Private Pilot's Licence and had 552 total flying hours, noted that his attention was heavily focused on maintaining position relative to the other aircraft in the formation. Additionally, the investigation noted that the pilot had limited experience performing short-field landings.