What happened
On 5 August 2002, a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-AOIS, was involved in an accident during a private flight at Sherburn-in-Elmet airfield in Yorkshire. Following heavy rainfall over the preceding two days, the grass surface of Runway 29 remained noticeably soft.
The pilot initially attempted a takeoff on the 616-metre runway but aborted the maneuver early due to insufficient acceleration. After performing an engine test up to 2,000 rpm while chocked, the pilot proceeded with a second takeoff attempt. During this second roll, the aircraft required a longer distance than usual to become airborne. Once aloft, the aircraft achieved a maximum altitude of only 30 feet and exhibited a minimal rate of climb. To avoid an industrial estate located ahead of the flight path, the pilot executed a slight right turn and performed a heavy landing on the grass area near the end of the runway. There were no injuries to the pilot or the passenger, though the aircraft sustained damage to its landing gear and engine.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's performance and the airfield's emergency response. While the primary fire crew was performing grass cutting and could not hear the crash alarm, the secondary crew responded to the incident independently. An inspection of the engine following the accident found no mechanical faults.
Findings
- The aircraft's performance was degraded by the combination of a heavy passenger (210 lb) and the soft, sticky surface conditions of the runway.
- The aircraft's rate of climb was insufficient to clear obstacles safely without maneuvering.
Safety action
- The airfield has updated its emergency procedures to ensure the duty crew is always within audible range of the crash alarm.