I was conducting a final handling test in a Tiger Moth for a student doing his private pilot's licence from Little Snoring aerodrome in Norfolk, where I was the chief flying instructor and examiner. It was a cold winter's day and we had virtually completed the test. We were carrying out a simulated forced landing before returning to base. The student had selected a suitable field and was slightly high on final approach when, at a height of around 100 feet, I asked him to apply power and climb away.
To my consternation the engine failed to respond and we were left with no option but to land. By that time the only suitable field was to our left, so a very low turn put us nicely down for landing in the pasture. Fortunately, the Tiger has a minimum speed on touchdown of around 45 mph. The only problem was that a herd of Friesian cows were enjoying the grass. They scattered when confronted with the oncoming biplane. How we managed to miss them, Lord only knows.
After we had come to a standstill, we got out and examined the aircraft. There was no damage at all and the engine started easily. The student pilot kept an eye on the cows which had moved to one side of the field and I took off, returning to the aerodrome a few miles away. After landing, I drove my car back to the field and picked up my student. We spent an hour or so cleaning the underside of the Tiger which had collected a fair amount of manure. Much to his delight the trainee pilot successfully completed his test a couple of days later.
Why did the engine fail? Probably due to not warming the motor sufficiently in the descent, especially in the final stages. An error unlikely to be repeated by either pilot. The sound of silence is one not to be forgotten.
From an article in the Gaurdian newspaper.
To my consternation the engine failed to respond and we were left with no option but to land. By that time the only suitable field was to our left, so a very low turn put us nicely down for landing in the pasture. Fortunately, the Tiger has a minimum speed on touchdown of around 45 mph. The only problem was that a herd of Friesian cows were enjoying the grass. They scattered when confronted with the oncoming biplane. How we managed to miss them, Lord only knows.
After we had come to a standstill, we got out and examined the aircraft. There was no damage at all and the engine started easily. The student pilot kept an eye on the cows which had moved to one side of the field and I took off, returning to the aerodrome a few miles away. After landing, I drove my car back to the field and picked up my student. We spent an hour or so cleaning the underside of the Tiger which had collected a fair amount of manure. Much to his delight the trainee pilot successfully completed his test a couple of days later.
Why did the engine fail? Probably due to not warming the motor sufficiently in the descent, especially in the final stages. An error unlikely to be repeated by either pilot. The sound of silence is one not to be forgotten.
From an article in the Gaurdian newspaper.