Accident Overview
On 14 September 2007, at 1710 UTC, a de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth (registration G-ANDE) experienced an engine failure while cruising at approximately 1,000 ft above ground level near Homefield Farm Private Airstrip, 5 nm east of Redhill, England. The aircraft, manufactured in 1943, was being operated on a private positioning flight from Andrewsfield Airfield, Essex, to Redhill Airfield, Surrey. The sole crew member (pilot) held an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence, had 3,927 total flying hours (295 on type), and was aged 30. One passenger, a ground crew employee with a FAA Private Pilot's Licence but not qualified on type, occupied the front cockpit.
Flight History
The aircraft departed Andrewsfield at 1620 hrs with full fuel tanks. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot gave control to the passenger. South of Sevenoaks, Kent, the pilot briefed the passenger on executing a forced landing, and the passenger practiced one. After a go-around, the passenger maintained control and set course for Redhill. Approximately 5 nm east of Redhill, at about 1,000 ft, the passenger said “engine failure” and engine rpm reduced. The pilot initially believed it was a simulated emergency, but upon realizing it was genuine, he took control and advanced the throttle to full power. The propeller was rotating but the engine did not respond. The pilot prepared for a forced landing, checking ignition switches and fuel quantity without finding an obvious cause. He spotted a nearby farm strip with two marked grass runways (17/35 and 14/32) clear of obstacles except scattered hay bales. The pilot transmitted a Mayday call to Redhill ATC and attempted to approach Runway 35 but had insufficient height, instead landing across the runways heading approximately 040° to avoid hay bales. Just prior to touchdown, the passenger unbuckled, stepped onto the right wing, and jumped from the aircraft when it was one to two feet above ground at about 35 kt. After touchdown, unable to stop before the field boundary and a large tree, the pilot deliberately ground-looped to the left. The lower left wing struck a hay bale, stopping the aircraft. The pilot turned off ignition switches, vacated, and found the passenger about 50 m behind the aircraft with a broken right leg. Emergency services arrived approximately 15 minutes later. Wind at the time was 280°/6 kt, temperature +20°C, dew point +14°C.
Pilot's Comments
The pilot stated that the passenger had previously closed the throttle without warning on another flight about three weeks before the accident; he commented to the passenger but “did not make a big deal of it.” He did not check the front cockpit ignition switches during the forced landing or after landing, though he had asked the passenger to confirm they were ON. He noted he had flown G-ANDE 80 times in the past year and the engine always performed perfectly; it operated smoothly before stopping.
Passenger's Comments
The passenger admitted to previously closing the throttle without warning on two occasions, explaining he overheard pilots saying they lacked practice on emergencies and believed this gave them opportunities. He stated he did not close the throttle or turn off ignition switches on the accident flight. He described a sharp power reduction, as if the throttle was closed. As the aircraft was about to land, he became panicky seeing hay bales close and feared hitting a bale would push the engine into his cockpit, causing serious injury, so he jumped.
Engineering Investigation
Operator engineers found the fuel vent and filter clear, no fuel contamination, and good compression on all four cylinders. The engine started on the second swing and ran smoothly. After being stripped for detailed examination, nothing was found that might have caused the failure.
Follow-Up Action
Following the accident, the company's Operations Manual was updated to state: 'commanders are not to tolerate unusual actions by subordinate crew members: for example the initiation of simulated engine failures. Such indiscretions are to be reported to a standardisation pilot.'