Safety Matters

Safety Matters and Safety Briefs are based on the AAIB Bulletin and UK Airprox Board reports, with additional material from the US National Transportation Safety Board.

- Dave Unwin

Tiger tragedy

Aircraft Type: DH.82A Tiger Moth

Date & Time: 21 July 2019 at 1304

Commander’s Flying Experience: PPL, 523 hours, 77 on type

Last 90 days: 10 hours

Last 28 days: 3 hours

The passenger was an experienced commercial pilot who had decided to take up flying light aircraft again for recreational purposes. He did some revision with a training organisation and renewed his Single Engine Piston (SEP) rating on his Irish and UK ATPLs. About a month before the accident, he went to Pent Farm and met the owner of the Tiger Moth and it was agreed that they would go flying together at a later date. Subsequently, following an exchange of text messages, they agreed to meet at Pent Farm on 21 July 2019, the day of the accident.

The pilot and passenger pushed the Tiger Moth out from its hangar and discussed the aircraft. The passenger was not aware of the owner’s qualifications but had no intention of flying the aircraft solo or logging the flight time. The owner showed the passenger how to enter the rear cockpit and strap in. He was given a headset in a fabric helmet and was shown how to plug it into a battery powered intercom system but was told it would be difficult to communicate when flying.