Summary
Following a winch launch, the pilot soared the glider for some five minutes. On return to the circuit the glider was flown towards left base and was noted to be low for a normal circuit. Reports indicate that the glider may have then commenced a turn before entering a spin to the left. After two rotations of the spin the glider impacted the ground short of the threshold. No attempt at recovery from the spin was detected by witnesses.
The prevailing weather conditions were a light wind with 3 OKTAS of cumulus cloud above 6,000ft.
Members of the pilot's gliding club stated that the circuit entry flown was uncharacteristic of the pilot.
The Postmortem Examination did not reveal any identifiable cause for incapacity.
The reasons for the loss of control have not been determined.
Occurrence summary
| Investigation number | 199501557 |
|---|---|
| Occurrence date | 27/05/1995 |
| Location | 15 km south-west of Mareeba Aerodrome |
| State | Queensland |
| Report release date | 19/10/1995 |
| Report status | Final |
| Investigation type | Occurrence Investigation |
| Investigation status | Completed |
| Mode of transport | Aviation |
| Aviation occurrence category | Collision with terrain |
| Occurrence class | Accident |
| Highest injury level | Fatal |
Aircraft details
| Manufacturer | Edmund Schneider Limited |
|---|---|
| Model | ES-57 |
| Registration | VH-GLQ |
| Sector | Other |
| Operation type | Gliding |
| Departure point | Springmount Station, QLD |
| Destination | Springmount Station, QLD |
| Damage | Destroyed |