What happened
On 5 April 2004, a DH82A Tiger Moth, registration G-APAM, was being used for a private repositioning flight between two nearby airstrips. The pilot intended to move two aircraft approximately two miles from one private strip to another. During the flight, the weather was characterized by showers and blustery conditions, with a westerly wind estimated at 15 to 20 knots.
Following a successful landing in a separate aircraft, the pilot attempted to land the DH82A Tiger Moth. During the approach, the aircraft drifted toward the left side of the runway. Upon touchdown, the aircraft tracked parallel to the runway centerline, maintaining a distance of roughly 2 meters from the left edge. As the aircraft decelerated to approximately 10 mph, a sudden gust of wind lifted the right wing, causing the left wing to strike the ground. This impact forced the aircraft to veer left, where the left main wheel encountered rough terrain. The momentum caused the aircraft to tip forward onto its nose and come to rest in an inverted position. There were no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained damage to the rudder, the propeller, the cowling, and the rear spar of the upper wing.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of the landing and the meteorological conditions present at the time of the accident. The pilot noted that while the previous landing in a Puss Moth had encountered a 45-degree crosswind, the wind conditions had changed significantly by the time the DH82A Tiger Moth approached the runway.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating in blustery conditions with intermittent showers.
- A sudden wind gust occurred during a vulnerable phase of the landing roll.
- The pilot failed to account for the fact that the wind had increased in strength and changed direction since the previous landing.