皇冠体育app

Summary:

A Grob 115E Tutor aircraft, operated by the Royal Air Force (RAF), was undertaking a cadet air experience flight from RAF Benson. 皇冠体育app visibility was good and the aircraft was conducting aerobatics, in uncontrolled airspace, when it collided with a glider. 皇冠体育app left wing of the Tutor struck the fin of the glider causing the tail section to break away. 皇冠体育app glider pilot parachuted to safety. 皇冠体育app Tutor entered a spiral / spinning manoeuvre before diving steeply into the ground. 皇冠体育app Tutor pilot and cadet were both fatally injured.

皇冠体育app Tutor pilot had a long term medical condition which restricted the movement of his head and affected his ability to conduct an effective look-out; this condition also made him more vulnerable to impact fractures of the spine. Following the collision it is probable that the Tutor remained controllable, suggesting that the pilot had become incapacitated.

皇冠体育app cadet鈥檚 harness had been released and the canopy operating handle had been moved to the open position before the Tutor impacted the ground. 皇冠体育app canopy jettison mechanism had not been operated.

皇冠体育app accident was notified to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) at 1350 hrs on 14 June 2009 and an AAIB field investigation was commenced immediately. 皇冠体育app investigation was conducted by:

Mr P Claiden - Investigator-in-charge Mr A Blackie - Operations Mr B D McDermid - Engineering Mr M Ford - Flight Data Recorders

皇冠体育app investigation identified the following causal and contributory factors:

Causal factor

1. Neither pilot saw each other in sufficient time to avoid the collision.

Contributory factors

1. 皇冠体育app Tutor pilot鈥檚 medical condition, Ankylosing Spondylitis, limited his ability to conduct an effective look-out.

2. 皇冠体育app high density of traffic, in an area of uncontrolled airspace, increased the risk of a collision.

Thirteen Safety Recommendations have been made.

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