What happened
On 28 June 1998, a NAS Tiger Moth, registration G-BJZF, was performing a private flight at Headcorn Aerodrome in Kent. During the landing phase on Runway 29, the aircraft encountered surface winds of 15 knots, gusting up to 26 knots from the north-west.
Upon touchdown, the aircraft experienced a bounce. In an attempt to cushion the impact, the pilot applied power; however, the aircraft bounced a second time. The pilot then applied full power with the intention of executing a go-around. Before the aircraft could reach its required flying speed, it rolled to the right, causing the right wingtip to strike the ground. The momentum caused the aircraft to pitch forward onto its nose, ultimately coming to rest in an inverted position. There were no injuries to the two occupants, though the aircraft suffered substantial damage to its fuselage, wings, tail, and propeller.
The investigation
The investigation was based on the aircraft accident report form provided by the pilot. Investigators examined the sequence of the landing attempt and the environmental conditions present at the time of the accident, specifically the gusty north-westerly winds.