THE trial of a Tiger Moth pilot for manslaughter heard today that he could have easily recovered the aircraft from a failed loop-the-loop.

Scott Hoyle, 48, is accused of causing the death of passenger Orlando Rogers by reckless flying when he lost control of the vintage biplane over Manswood on May 15, 2011.

Mr Rogers, 26, received fatal injuries in the resulting crash near Witchampton.

The prosecution alleged that Hoyle was inexperienced at aerobatics, flying at low speed, and that his passengers size would have unbalanced the aircraft and restricted control stick movement, preventing a successful loop.

This morning, Winchester Crown Court heard evidence from flight analysis aeronautical engineer John Jeffery, who said a loop could have been performed successfully despite these impediments.

Mr Jeffrey, a defence witness, said he had used a computer model to analyse the data, including its supposed weight and speed and the flight plan suggested by GPS data.

He said that if the aircraft were to stall during the loop it would almost "right itself" requiring minimal pilot input.

"The aircraft was easily recoverable from a full loop, even when overweight," he said.

Hoyle claims he was not attempting a loop and he lost control when the left rudder pedal jammed.

Questioned by defence counsel Stephen Spence, Mr Jeffrey said he had also created a model flight plan based on the defendant's claim.

"The only scenario we believe fits the data recovered by GPS was the one which fits the pilot's sequence of events," he said.

Under cross-examination by Michael Bowes QC, Mr Jeffery said he believed the aircraft had entered a leftwards spin as Hoyle claimed. Mr Bowes said this contradicted evidence from the ground prepared by the Air Accident Investigation Board.

The witness said that was not his area of expertise.

Hoyle, of Charborough Road, Broadstone, denies one count of manslaughter and one count of endangering the safety of an aircraft or any person in an aircraft.

The trial continues.