AAIB investigation to DH82A Tiger Moth, G-ANSM
Forced landing due to jammed rudder, near Sibson Airport, Cambridgeshire, 4 February 2017.
Summary:
Shortly after takeoff from Runway 06 at Peterborough Sibson Airport, the radio operator on the ground informed the pilot that the aircraft’s baggage locker appeared unlatched. The pilot reported that he decided to return to land, but as he attempted to recover from a left turn he found he could not move the rudder to the right. He added, the best flight path he could achieve was a flat left turn as any addition of power made the situation worse due to the effect of the propeller slipstream. He descended the aircraft in a left turn and made a forced landing in a field. The aircraft sustained significant damage, but neither occupant was injured and they were able to vacate the aircraft without assistance.
The pilot reported that the rudder operated normally when tested later and that nothing was missing from the baggage locker. No reason for the rudder jam could be identified.
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