Incident Overview
On 5 April 2004 at 1130 UTC, a privately operated DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-APAM, sustained damage during a landing at Radley Farm, near Hungerford, Wiltshire. The aircraft was equipped with one Gipsy Major piston engine and was manufactured in 1939. The sole occupant, the pilot, held a Private Pilot's Licence and was 62 years old. He had accumulated 1,886 total flying hours, of which 850 were on the Tiger Moth type; his flying in the previous 90 days and 28 days amounted to one hour each.
Flight Details
The pilot intended to reposition two aircraft from one private airstrip to another approximately two miles away. He first flew a Puss Moth without incident; during that landing, the crosswind component was about 45° from the right. The weather was described as blustery with showers, and the surface wind was estimated to be westerly at 15 to 20 knots.
Landing and Accident Sequence
While attempting to land the Tiger Moth, the aircraft drifted to the left just before touchdown. After landing, it continued parallel to the runway centreline, approximately 2 metres from the left edge. As the aircraft slowed to about 10 mph, a gust of wind lifted the right wing, causing the left wing to contact the ground. This induced a left turn; the left main wheel ran onto rough ground, and the aircraft tipped onto its nose before coming to rest inverted.
Damage and Injuries
The rear spar of the upper wing and the rudder were broken; the cowling was dented and the propeller broken. The pilot reported no injuries.
Pilot's Account
The pilot acknowledged that he should have noticed the wind had increased and backed since his previous landing. He recognised that the gust occurred during a particularly vulnerable phase of the landing.