ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 723
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: | Sunday 9 April 1995 |
| Time: | 17:39 LT |
| Type: |  Pitts S-2A |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | VH-IXY |
| MSN: | |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Near Gatton, QLD -
 Australia
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Demo/Airshow/Display |
| Departure airport: | Gatton, Queensland |
| Investigating agency: | BASI |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On the morning of 8 April, the pilot flew the aircraft from Archerfield to Gatton to practise aerobatics. That afternoon he carried out two flights during which he performed an aerobatic sequence known as a "free program", which is a sequence of manoeuvres designed by the pilot to meet certain criteria.
The following morning, the pilot carried out a check flight with an instructor to obtain approval in accordance with Civil Aviation Regulation 155(3), to conduct aerobatics down to a minimum height of 1,500 ft above ground level. The minimum height for aerobatics is 3,000 ft above ground level unless this approval is obtained.
At about 17:30 EST on April 9, the pilot took off to practice the "free program" sequence again. He was in radio communication with his brother, a highly experienced pilot and flying instructor. The pilot had said that he would increase the base height for the sequence as an added safety margin.
The sequence was commenced and proceeded normally and the manoeuvre which had previously caused the problem was performed with what appeared to be the suggested modifications. However, shortly after recovery to the straight and level attitude from the downward half-loop, the nose of the aircraft pitched rapidly to 10 degrees nose-up and the aircraft began to diverge slowly to the right with the nose continuing to rise slowly. The aircraft then commenced a continuous roll to the left.
During this time, the ground observer made several unsuccessful attempts to contact the pilot by radio. The nose of the aircraft dropped and the aircraft dived almost vertically into the ground from a height estimated by witnesses as 2,000-2,500 ft
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
http://www.atsb.gov.au/media/24712/ASOR199501051.pdf
https://sirsteveincairns.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Assorted-aircraft/8168270_LTWpg5/8/1404898757_58mxrkt
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 21-Jan-2008 10:00 | ASN archive | Added |
| 20-Dec-2011 11:53 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Time, Operator, Total fatalities, Total occupants, Other fatalities, Location, Phase, Nature, Departure airport, Source, Damage, Narrative] |
| 10-Jun-2022 04:11 | Ron Averes | Updated [Location, Narrative] |
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