What happened
On 24 May 2012, a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-AOHY, was conducting a trial lesson at Wickenable Airfield, Lincolnshire. The flight was intended to land on a short grass strip located between the airfield's two paved runways. During the approach, the aircraft lost altitude in the final stages of the descent. Despite the pilot applying full power, the aircraft struck standing crops just before reaching the intended landing area. The impact caused the aircraft to pitch forward and come to rest in an inverted position. The engine suffered shock-loading, and the propeller, wings, and tail section sustained damage. The single crew member on board escaped with minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical state and the pilot's recent flying history. It was discovered that during pre-flight checks, the pilot had been preoccupied with a missing compass ring, which had rendered the compass unusable. Consequently, the pilot's attention was diverted from the cockpit instruments. This distraction meant the pilot did not notice that the airspeed indicator needle had detached and was loose within the instrument, leaving only a stub to estimate speed. Furthermore, while the pilot was highly experienced overall, they had very limited recent experience specifically on the Tiger Moth, having performed only one landing in the type in the preceding eight months.
Findings
- The aircraft struck crops while low on final approach.
- The pilot's attention was diverted by a missing compass ring during pre-flight preparations.
- The airspeed indicator was non-functional due to a detached needle.
- A lack of recent currency and training on the specific aircraft type contributed to the loss of control during the approach.