What happened
On 24 June 2009, a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-APAP, was conducting a renewal flight for a student's lapsed rating at Henlow Airfield, Bedfordshire. During the taxi phase, the aircraft was moving from the parking area toward Runway 09. Due to a large model aircraft and a car positioned on the usual taxiway, the pilot was forced to use Runway 31 for the taxi.
As the aircraft approached the parked car, the pilot veered to the right, causing the aircraft to depart the runway. The examiner, seated in the front, observed a hay bale and took control of the aircraft, steering it to the right to avoid it. While successfully clearing the first bale, the pilot then steered to the left to return the aircraft to the runway. However, during this corrective manoeuvre, the aircraft struck a third hay bale that had been hidden from view by the right wing, resulting in damage to the right lower wing.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the taxi route and the positioning of obstacles on the airfield. The examiner and student provided accounts regarding the sequence of events and the visibility of the obstacles during the turn.
Findings
- The aircraft was taxiing on Runway 31 because the standard taxiway was obstructed by a car and a model aircraft.
- The pilot's attention was diverted by the presence of the parked car and the model aircraft on the taxiway.
- Distraction by the parked vehicles led to the aircraft veering off the runway.
- The third hay bale was not visible to the crew because it was obscured by the aircraft's right wing during the manoeuvre.