ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 31312
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Saturday 7 December 1985 |
| Time: | 13:59 |
| Type: | Start & Flug H-101 Salto |
| Owner/operator: | J A van Dyke |
| Registration: | ZK-GIQ |
| MSN: | 42 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Reikorangi, Wellington 5 -
 New Zealand
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Reikorangi Airstrip |
| Confidence Rating: |  Information is only available from news, social media or unofficial sources |
Pilot: Janice Ann van Dyk.
R.I.P.
The glider was being launched by aerotow from a Reikorangi farm airstrip.
At a height of 150-250 feet AGL the glider released from tow and was turned in order to land back at the airstrip. In the course of this turn the aircraft entered a RH spiral.
The spiral was stopped, but the glider was still diving at an angle of about 40 degrees when it struck the ground and was destroyed by the impact.
The pilot suffered fatal injuries in the crash.
The flying conditions were smooth with a light breeze down the airstrip.
The tow pilot reported nothing abnormal occurred before he felt the release of the glider.
The nose tow hook was examined and found to be in good condition and functioning normally.
An accidental release of the tow line as the result of a mechanical failure of the hook was considered unlikely.
The retention chain of the pilot's spectacles was found to be broken. This probably happened in the crash, and the optician who provided them considered that the pilot's uncorrected vision was such that she could have coped without her glasses anyway.
The adjustable rudder pedals were found to be at the fully forward position on the track. This could have been the result of the impact with the ground. The possibility that the pedals had slipped beyond the pilot's reach during the launch was considered. Tests in another Salto demonstrated that the glider could be manoeuvred easily on aero tow using the ailerons only.
Ms van Dyke was aware of the pedal's inclination to slip out of the adjusted position, and had briefed other pilots on this.
The pilot had been seen to latch the canopy prior to the take-off, but the possibility of it becoming unlatched prompting the pilot to discontinue the launch was considered.
The glider's all-up weight and CG were within the prescribed limits.
The Accident Report includes the following findings:
"3. Findings:
3.4 Prior to the accident the glider was airworthy.
3.5 The pilot released the glider from tow at a low height, for reasons which were not established.
3.6 During a turn commenced shortly afterwards, the pilot inadvertently stalled the glider.
3.7 The glider entered a spiral dive at a height which precluded recovery.
3.8 Probable Cause : The probable cause of this accident was a spiral dive following an inadvertent stall while turning, at a height which precluded recovery."
Sources:
1. Air Accident Report No. 85-115.
2. AHSNZ, 1986, Aerolog, Vol 1 No 1.
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 27-Sep-2008 01:00 | ASN archive | Added |
| 14-Jul-2010 03:46 | angels one five | Updated [Date, Aircraft type, Registration, Cn, Other fatalities, Location, Phase, Nature, Departure airport, Damage, Narrative, Plane category, ] |
| 18-Jul-2010 18:28 | angels one five | Updated [Narrative] |
| 07-Jul-2011 17:35 | angels one five | Updated [Time, Operator, Source, Narrative] |
| 07-Jul-2011 17:42 | angels one five | Updated [Narrative] |
| 14-Aug-2011 15:58 | angels one five | Updated [Narrative] |
| 23-Nov-2011 03:51 | angels one five | Updated [Time, Registration, Cn, Operator, Location, Departure airport, Narrative] |
| 23-Sep-2021 13:45 | Ron Averes | Updated [Location, Narrative] |
| 01-Feb-2022 20:34 | Ron Averes | Updated [Source, Narrative] |
| 13-Feb-2022 04:06 | Ron Averes | Updated [Location] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation