A Question of Safety

Well the Christmas rush is now over – “thankfully,” I hear some say while others just want to stay on holiday. I even managed a few flights myself! I have heard a few reports of first solos and some badge flights having been achieved. It is all really good stuff and I hope we get to read some first hand feedback on some of these flights in this or future issues of the magazine!

There has not been any requests for instructor courses that I am aware of recently so if your club has any candidates for issue or upgrade then let the Ops team know so we can help arrange courses to suit as many as possible. The last courses held even attracted a few “old buggers” who just wanted to come along for some refresher training, again great to see.

The season has produced a few inevitable “woopsies” most, with the exception of the tragic fatal accident at the Grand Prix, have thankfully been minor. But don’t forget to fill in the required paperwork.

I have included below some more accident reports continuing on from last issue. It would be great to think that I will run out of reports to print soon, sooo

“Be careful out there.”

SUMMARY OF INCIDENTS –2005

Date 01 May 2005 Location Rotorua Glider type Bocian Nature of Flight Dual Training Pilot hours 878 Last 90 days 14 Injuries Nil Damage Nil POB 2 Details available on CAA website No Notes After a normal landing on the airfield the pilot tried to apply rudder to steer the glider off the runway. The rear seat pedals had jammed on the floorboards not allowing the glider to turn. Engineers report on cause of the jamming not available.

Date 16 April 2005 Location Taupo Glider type PW6 & Pawnee Nature of Flight Local Out landing Training Pilot hours 1000+ Last 90 days N/A Injuries Nil Damage Moderate POB 2/1 Details available on CAA website N/A Notes The glider was launched off a nearby airstrip and released near the airfield with the intention of landing back on the airfield but landing “non – standard” across the runway on 24. The tow plane was also landing back on the airfield on rwy 06 and made radio calls to this effect. After landing the tow plane was just about stopped when the glider appeared about 50 meters away on a collision course. All efforts to avoid a collision were made but the tow plane propeller struck both the left wing tip and elevator of the glider as it passed in front. The instructor had completed a briefing on the ground with the tow pilot before the training exercise. The Instructor reported hearing the tow plane calling base for 06 and immediately made a call that the glider was final for 24. The tow pilot reported hearing a transmission but it was not readable. The base caravan also reported not clearly hearing the gliders final call.

Date 22 May 2005 Location Jury Hill Glider type ASK 13 Nature of Flight Winch circuit check Pilot hours N/A Last 90 days N/A Injuries Nil Damage Minor POB 2 Details available on CAA website No Notes The glider launched normally to circuit height but upon turning into the downwind position low cloud and showers that had been threatening had moved over the airfield and started to obscure the view of the airfield. An abbreviated circuit was made but a squall and heavy sink necessitated a landing in a paddock next to the airfield. During this landing the glider struck an electric fence scratching the canopy and denting the leading edge of the tail plane.

Date 2 July 2005 Location Hororata Glider type ASH 25/Pawnee Nature of Flight Tow plane Landing Pilot hours N/A Last 90 days N/A Injuries Nil Damage Substantial to glider wing POB 1 Details available on CAA website No Notes After a glider tow the tow plane landed on the reciprocal vector for efficiency even though there was a tailwind component. As the tow plane was touching down the tail wind increased. The tow pilot elected to apply full power and overshoot. The tow plane cleared the hedge at the end of the strip but the tow rope which was not jettisoned wrapped around the wing of one glider parked along the hedge, causing substantial Damage to the glider’s wing and coming within a few meters of people standing nearby helping to rig gliders.

Date 10 September 2005 Location Otaki Glider type Libelle Nature of Flight Soaring Pilot hours 350 Last 90 days 14 Injuries Nil Damage Write-off POB Details available on CAA website No Notes During a soaring flight the pilot was required to make an out landing with only one paddock available. During the landing roll the right wing tip struck some rocks on a slightly raised area. The glider ground looped through 90deg and the undercarriage collapsed.

Date 1 October 2005 Location Rakaia Gorge Glider type ASW 27 Nature of Flight Cross-country Pilot hours 1155 Last 90 days 6.5 Injuries Nil Damage Substantial POB 1 Details available on CAA website No Notes After a cross-country flight the pilot was on final glide to return to Hororata when it became obvious that an out landing would be required. A suitable paddock was selected and during the final approach un-anticipated sink was encountered causing the glider to strike the tops of shelterbelt trees along the threshold. Considerable Damage was caused to the RH flaps and ailerons. A safe landing followed.

Date 23 October 2005 Location Flock Hill Glider type LS4 Nature of Flight Local Soaring Pilot hours 1286 Last 90 days N/A Injuries N/A Damage N/A POB 1 Details available on CAA website No Notes During landing the pilot did not select the undercarriage down before landing. (The LS4 has the undercarriage lever on the left side and forward position is up and back is down)

Date December 2005? Location Omarama Glider type Janus Ce Nature of Flight Local flight Pilot hours 1000+ Last 90 days 10 Injuries Nil Damage Minor POB 1 Details available on CAA website No Notes After a normal approach the glider bounced after initial touchdown and ballooned to approximately 10 ft. The pilot overreacted and pushed the stick forward too far which allowed the glider to sink rapidly and land again quite heavily on the nose wheel causing minor Damage in this area.

There are some accidents that may not appear here, but do appear on the CAA website.