What happened
On 15 August 2006, a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-EMSY, was taxiing across the grass surface toward the runway at Old Sarum Aerodrome in Wiltshire. During the taxi, the pilot was aware of a line of parked aircraft to the right and noted that the parking spaces to the left were unoccupied. However, as the aircraft approached the edge of the runway, the pilot encountered a parked Piper Warrior, registration G-SLYN, positioned on the left side of the taxi path.
Realizing the imminent collision, the pilot attempted an immediate right turn. In the process, the lower left wing of the DH82A Tiger Moth made contact with the tail section of the parked Piper. The pilot successfully switched off the magnetos following the impact. The collision resulted in no injuries to the pilot, but caused minor damage to the underside of the Tiger Moth's lower left wing and a small tear in its fabric. The Piper Warrior sustained damage to its fin and elevator.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. Investigators examined the environmental conditions at the time of the event, noting that visibility was good, the surface wind was light, and the grass was damp. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's actions and the positioning of the aircraft involved.