No fatalities

Tiger Moth G-AXAN Veers Off Grass Strip and Noses Over at Sandtoft

Sandtoft Aerodrome, Belton, GB

On June 1, 2008, a DH82A Tiger Moth (registration G-AXAN) was involved in an aviation accident near Sandtoft Aerodrome, Belton, GB. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of directional control during landing due to wet grass and crosswind conditions. This summary draws on records from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

Sourcesthe UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB)Primary reportUpdated 2026-10-18Data APIEditorial standards

A DH82A Tiger Moth, G-AXAN, veered off a grass landing strip during a crosswind landing at Sandtoft Aerodrome and nosed over in long grass. The pilot and passenger were uninjured.

Aircraft and Flight Information

The aircraft involved was a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-AXAN, powered by one De Havilland Gipsy Major 1F piston engine. It was manufactured in 1943. The flight was a private operation with one pilot and one passenger on board.

History of the Flight

On 1 June 2008 at 1420 UTC, the pilot was landing at Sandtoft Aerodrome, which has a paved Runway 05/23 and an adjacent strip of grass mown short for safety. There was a variable crosswind. Due to the wet condition of the grass, the pilot elected to land on the grass strip. During the landing roll, the aircraft veered to the right into an area of long grass and stopped quickly, turning over. The pilot estimated that he lost directional control partly due to the wet grass and the crosswind, and that the aircraft was travelling at less than 20 mph when it turned over.

Injuries and Damage

Neither the pilot nor the passenger sustained any injuries. The aircraft sustained damage including a broken propeller, and damage to the fin, rudder, upper mainplane, and engine cowls.

Pilot Information

The commander, aged 49, held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 1,147 total flying hours, of which 80 were on type. In the last 90 days, he had flown 10 hours, and in the last 28 days, 8 hours.

Probable cause

Loss of directional control during landing due to wet grass and crosswind conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1 Jun 2008 DH82A Tiger Moth accident near Sandtoft Aerodrome, Belton, GB?

A DH82A Tiger Moth, G-AXAN, veered off a grass landing strip during a crosswind landing at Sandtoft Aerodrome and nosed over in long grass. The pilot and passenger were uninjured.

Were there any fatalities in the 1 Jun 2008 DH82A Tiger Moth accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1 Jun 2008 involved a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-AXAN, at Sandtoft Aerodrome, Belton, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Loss of directional control during landing due to wet grass and crosswind conditions.