Rob Wotton, Flying a Tiger Moth Plane, Tips a Cow When Landing

**kellyhound** · #1 ● 11-18-2008, 05:51 PM

In a remarkable incident from December 2008, Rob Wotton, a pilot flying a 1943 De Havilland Tiger Moth, experienced an unexpected encounter during an emergency landing in a rural field. The aircraft, a piece of aviation history, encountered engine trouble mid-flight due to rusted particles blocking the carburetor.

Wotton, demonstrating quick thinking and aviation skills, identified a field for an emergency landing. Unbeknownst to him, the field was occupied by a group of cows. In a twist of fate, as the Tiger Moth made its descent, it inadvertently struck a cow with its port side wing. The impact caused the cow to topple, but it quickly recovered and resumed grazing, seemingly unharmed.

The incident, which was recorded and later shared online, highlights the unique challenges faced by pilots of vintage aircraft. The Tiger Moth, lacking modern amenities like brakes and with restricted visibility from the rear pilot seat, demands exceptional skill and awareness from its operators.

Both Wotton and his passenger, an 84-year-old World War II airman and recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, emerged from the incident unscathed. The airplane itself sustained minor damage.

This unusual encounter between a piece of World War II aviation history and a cow in a pastoral setting underscores the unpredictable nature of flying vintage aircraft in modern times.