What happened
On 28 August 2007, a DH82a Tiger Moth, registration G-ANJA, was performing a training flight at Headcorn Airfield in Kent. During the taxi phase, the aircraft was moving slowly toward the runway under the control of a handling pilot and a commander. As the aircraft negotiated a turn, it struck a parked DR 400/140B Robin, registration G-GGJK.
The impact caused damage to the lower left mainplane and landing gear of the G-ANJA, while the G-all sustained damage to its left mainplane and flap. There were no injuries to the two crew members on board the Tiger Moth.
The investigation
The investigation examined the circumstances surrounding the taxiing maneuver and the focus of the crew. It was established that the handling pilot, an experienced aviator with 12,500 total flying hours, was undergoing a check-out. During the turn, the commander's attention was diverted by a technical issue involving an intermittent microphone problem in the headset.
Both crew members assessed that there appeared to be enough clearance to safely bypass the stationary Robin. However, the collision occurred despite this assessment. The commander noted that while the headset malfunction acted as a distraction, it was not an excuse for the loss of separation.
Findings
- The collision was caused by the Tiger Moth failing to maintain sufficient clearance from the parked aircraft.
- The commander was distracted by an intermittent headset microphone malfunction during the turn.
- The crew incorrectly judged that the gap between the moving aircraft and the parked Robin was wide enough to avoid contact.