What happened
On 12 August 2012, a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-ANFV, was conducting a private flight at a private airstrip located near RAF Lossiemouth. During the landing phase, the aircraft bounced, prompting the pilot to initiate a go-around. As the aircraft entered a left turn, it encountered an increasing tailwind component which caused a rapid deterioration in airspeed and performance.
Concerned that the aircraft might impact a wooded knoll ahead, the pilot executed a right turn toward an open barley field, intending to trade altitude for airspeed to re-establish a climb. However, as the pilot attempted to level the aircraft just above the ground, the aircraft failed to respond in pitch. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground at approximately 55 kt during a descending right turn. The impact caused extensive damage to the aircraft and some crops. The pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries and were able to exit the wreckage without assistance.
The investigation
The investigation examined the flight sequence and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators reviewed the weather forecast from RAF Lossiemouth, which indicated visibility was good with scattered clouds and a surface wind of 140° at 14 kt. The pilot had elected to land in a northerly direction on a 3% upslope, believing the wind would be approximately 150° at 12 kt.
Findings
- The aircraft encountered a tailwind as it climbed out of ground-level shelter, which significantly degraded its performance.
- The pilot's focus was primarily on the ground handling characteristics of the aircraft, which led to an insufficient assessment of how the prevailing weather conditions would impact the go-around phase of flight.
- The pilot believed the aircraft had stalled during the execution of the right turn.