A VINTAGE biplane which crashed on landing and turned upside down at Dunkeswell Airfield, on the Blackdown Hills, hit a fence with one wing, an accident investigation has concluded.

Fortunately, pilot Robert Doughton, aged 73, and his passenger escaped with only minor cuts and bruises in the incident, which happened on May 28.

Mr Doughton had been giving his passenger an ‘introductory flight’ in the bright yellow De Havilland DH82C Tiger Moth.

A ‘record-only investigation’ into the crash has now been carried out by the Government’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

RD Tiger Moths pilot Rob Doughton - 'flying is in my genes'.
RD Tiger Moths pilot Rob Doughton - 'flying is in my genes'. (RD Tiger Moths)

The AAIB report said Mr Doughton’s forward view became obstructed when landing the aircraft because his front seat passenger leaned to the left.

The report said: “The pilot’s instruction for the passenger to return to an upright position was not heard due to engine and airflow noise.

“With the pilot’s view restricted, he looked down the right side of the aircraft, losing sight of the fence on the left edge of the runway.

“The aircraft deviated toward the left side of the runway, struck the fence, and overturned before coming to rest inverted in a field adjacent to the runway.”

Mr Doughton, who lives near Wellington, said on social media after the crash it had been an ‘isolated incident’ and he was thankful he and his passenger were able to evacuate the Tiger Moth without serious injury.

Having flown his first solo flight at the age of 17 years, Mr Doughton said ‘flying was in his genes’, and he bought two Tiger Moths on his retirement and started the Dunkeswell-based flight business RD Tiger Moths.

The aircraft involved in the crash carries Royal Canadian Air Force display markings and is said to be the only Canadian-built Tiger Moth in Europe, with only about 40 still flying in Canada itself.