What happened
On 15 May 2011, a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-AOIL, was engaged in a private flight near Witchampton, Dorset. The pilot had previously completed a flight earlier that day, performing loops at a similar location. During the second flight, which included a passenger, the aircraft was observed performing a loop. During this manoeuvre, the aircraft entered a spin from which it could not recover.
Witnesses on the ground observed the aircraft at the top of a loop before it began to spin, with the nose angle increasing from approximately 30 degrees to 80 degrees. The engine noise ceased during the descent, and the aircraft struck the ground. The impact resulted in one fatality and one serious injury.
The investigation
The AAIB examined the wreckage and the aircraft's flight data. Analysis of the ground marks and the aircraft's position indicated that the aircraft was spinning to the right at the moment of impact, contradicting the pilot's recollection of a left-hand spin. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's training and experience, noting that while the pilot had performed loops earlier in the day, they had limited experience with spin recovery specifically in the Tiger Moth, which has unique handling characteristics compared to other aircraft.
Engine and airframe inspections found the aircraft to be in a serviceable condition prior to the accident, with no evidence of in-flight mechanical failure. While the pilot reported a potential rudder control restriction, investigators found no conclusive evidence of such a malfunction, though they could not entirely rule it out due to the extent of the impact damage.
Findings
- The loop was performed at an altitude that provided insufficient height for the pilot to recover from the resulting spin.
- The pilot had limited experience with spin recovery techniques specific to the Tiger Moth.
- The aircraft was spinning to the right at the time of impact.