TWO people were killed in a glider crash at Ararat Airfield today as investigators today examine the wreckage to determine what could have caused the fatal crash.
Paramedics were called to the crash site about 100 metres east of the from the rural airstrip at about 3.20pm after reports of a downed aircraft in the area.
Police said both occupants, a man in his 50s and a 21-year-old woman, were killed. Paramedics unsuccessfully performed CPR on the man who later died on the scene. It’s believed he was instructing the woman, a student pilot, who died on impact. It’s believed the glider was being towed by a plane at the time.
A witness associated with the Grampians Soaring Club said the glider nose-dived shortly after take off.
“The aircraft is demolished. It would take a lot of people to pick up the pieces. It’s very devastating,” he said.
Some witnesses reportedly heard an explosion-type sound from the aircraft although the cause of the crash is still a mystery. Police will prepare a report for the coroner.
Other glider accidents in Benalla earlier this year saw two men taken to hospital with back and pelvis injuries. In a separate accident, an 80-year-old woman was seriously injured when her glider was dragged 30 metres.
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as a glider pilot for many years as a young man, I know the safety protocols are very strict, and unlike airline pilots we memories all the pre takeoff checks poetically, 300 feet is a critical height ,you can still release from the winch or towplane and land safely.
but if the glider stalls and drops into a spin at 300 feet you have to act immediately, neutralise controls and opposite rudder, but I mean immidiate, 2 rotations in a spin and you meet the ground,
now, being towed by a tug plane at 60 knots, 64 mph, is not slow for a glider, so lack of control is not a problem, I,m thinking turbulence from the tug, and downdraft from the hills at the same time, stalling one wing, then spinning, or a mechanical fault.
Of all aviation sports, gliding is still the safest, and this accident does happen every day to aircraft with an engine bolted to the bumper.
My thoughts go out to all the relatives.
Kim, AUGC adelaide uni gliding club