History of the Flight
After completing a dual check flight with an instructor at Headcorn Aerodrome, the pilot of DH82A Tiger Moth G-ANJA departed for a local solo flight. The weather was described as good with a light easterly wind. Climbing to 3,300 ft approximately 1 mile west of Staplehurst, the pilot decided to perform an aileron roll.
The Manoeuvre and Engine Failure
Following a clearing turn, the pilot entered a shallow dive, increasing the airspeed to 110 kt. He then raised the nose to an attitude between 15° and 20° and initiated a roll to the right. As the aircraft reached the inverted position, the engine stopped abruptly. The aircraft lost speed and fell out of the manoeuvre with the propeller stationary.
The pilot recovered to level flight. He assessed that he did not have sufficient altitude to attempt an engine restart and selected a field for a forced landing, transmitting a 'Fan stop' call on the Headcorn air traffic frequency.
Forced Landing Attempts
As the aircraft approached the chosen field, the pilot observed that it contained tall crops, making it unsuitable. He turned towards a nearby playing field but then noticed children present, so he diverted towards a golf course. It became evident that he would not reach the golf course, prompting a 'Mayday' call on the Headcorn frequency. At an altitude of approximately 50 ft and about 100 yards short of the golf course, the pilot deliberately stalled the aircraft into the field ahead. The landing gear collapsed and the aircraft sustained substantial damage to the undercarriage, three main wings, nose and engine cowlings, and multiple broken longerons in the fuselage. The pilot, secured by a four-point harness, was uninjured and vacated the aircraft normally after making it safe.
Aircraft and Aerobatic Considerations
The DH82A Tiger Moth is equipped with a single fuel tank located above the fuselage between the upper wings, with fuel gravity-fed to a conventional carburettor. Under negative G conditions, fuel flow ceases and the fuel in the carburettor float chamber moves to the top, causing the main jet to draw air instead of fuel, resulting in engine stoppage.
Performing aileron rolls in the Tiger Moth demands advanced aerobatic skills due to the aircraft's design, where ailerons are only on the lower wing and can be shielded by the upper wing when inverted, leading to a slow roll rate. Precise rudder inputs are required.
The flying club that operated the aircraft only authorized its most experienced pilots to conduct rolling manoeuvres in the Tiger Moth, and these were performed overhead the airfield to allow for engine restart attempts. The pilot involved was cleared for aerobatics in more modern aerobatic aircraft but not specifically authorized for aerobatics in the Tiger Moth. The pilot stated that he had performed rolling manoeuvres with a check pilot in the Tiger Moth previously and was unaware of any club restriction for that aircraft at the time of the flight.