About 20 Minutes Into The Pleasure Flight The Engine Began To Run Rough

Location: Lampasas, TX Accident Number: CEN22LA106
Date & Time: January 23, 2022, 17:28 Local Registration: N5300
Aircraft: DeHavilland Tiger Moth DH 82A Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On January 23, 2022, about 1728 central standard time, a de Havilland Tiger Moth DH-82A, N5300, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lampasas, Texas. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that about 20 minutes into the pleasure flight the engine began to run rough and he immediately turned the airplane back toward the departure airport, checked that the fuel was on, mixture was rich, and the throttle was open. The engine continued to lose power and he decided to divert to a different private airport.

As the airplane approached the private airport, the pilot felt that the airplane was too high and he turned the airplane. During the turn he realized that he had misjudged the height and decided that completing the turn was not a good idea and leveled the wings and committed to going straight ahead from that point. The area where the airplane landed was terraced and as it touched down the airplane hit one of the terraced areas, then skipped across and nosed over, and came to rest inverted. The engine was producing partial power but not enough to maintain altitude throughout the whole event.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov