Summary
The pilot was converted to the Olympia 2 glider on 4 January, 1972, and on that day he made five Rights
in VH-GHR. On the third of these flights he experienced a cable break at about 300 feet and landed
normally off a modified circuit.
On 5 January, 1972, he completed one satisfactory flight in VH-GHR. On his next launch in this glider,
at approximately 1344 hours central summer time, the cable broke when the aircraft had reached a height
of about 30 feet above the ground. The pilot released the cable and pushed the control column forward, then extended the dive brakes as for a normal landing but it is probable that the airspeed was low.
Although the pilot attempted to flare the glider for landing it struck the ground heavily in a slightly nose down
attitude.