Collision with terrain involving a Grob Twin Astir, VH-IKA, Black Springs, South Australia, on 12 June 1994

The gliding club was conducting a ridge soaring camp remote from its main base of operation, but gliders launched that morning by aerotow were reporting poor lift conditions.

A glider released near the ridge just prior to the take-off of VH-IKA was finding it difficult to find any significant lift, and the pilot believed that they had released too early for the prevailing conditions. He saw VH-IKA release about 4-500 feet lower than he had and commented to his passenger that VH-IKA would have to out-land.

A short time later he saw VH-IKA tracking towards some suitable paddocks, but were over-flown, then after several left and right turns commenced a low approach to land in another paddock.

The paddock selected was lined by trees and powerlines, and as the approach was continued the left wing clipped a tree and the glider impacted the ground inverted. Both occupants were injured and the glider substantially damaged.

The occupant of the rear seat held a gliding instructor rating but was riding as a passenger on this flight. Although he realised that the approach was becoming low, he did not doubt that the experienced pilot could handle the situation and failed to take action to prevent the accident.