Incident
On 21 June 2008 at 1620 UTC, a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-ANFV, sustained damage during a landing at Shempston farm strip near Duffus, Moray. The aircraft was returning from an uneventful flight from Perth. The pilot, a 63-year-old private pilot with 348 total flying hours (102 on type), was the sole crew member and carried one passenger.
Flight and Approach
Prior to landing, the pilot received wind information from RAF Lossiemouth’s ATC tower, which reported the wind as 130°/16 kt. The pilot planned to land on Runway 07, the shorter of the two runways at the farm. However, he observed that the windsock at the western end of RAF Lossiemouth frequently indicated a more easterly wind direction.
Landing and Hard Touchdown
The pilot approached at an indicated airspeed of 60 kt, flared the aircraft at between 6 ft and 8 ft, and closed the throttle. The aircraft responded normally, but before touching down, the pilot reported that the aircraft experienced a sudden downdraft. The aircraft contacted the runway heavily in a slightly left-wing-low attitude.
Damage and Occupants
Despite sustaining damage to the left side of the lower fuselage near the landing gear attachment and rippling of the fabric covering in that area, the aircraft continued its landing roll and came to rest. Both the pilot and passenger exited the aircraft without difficulty and were uninjured.