Investigation number
198701459
Occurrence date
Location
"Koongarra" (38 km NNW Warracknabeal)
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation type
Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence type
Loss of control
Occurrence category
Accident
Highest injury level
Serious

It was the student's fourth flying lesson and the effects of power were being revised. The student turned the aircraft 90 degrees to the left onto downwind but when he attempted to level the wings after the turn, the bank angle increased from about 30 to 50 degrees. The instructor took over the controls and attempted to recover by applying right aileron, full power and holding the nose up briefly. When the aircraft did not immediately recover, the instructor lowered the nose but the aircraft struck the ground, in a left wing, nose low attitude, before full control could be regained. After revising the effects of power, the engine speed was set too low for the aircraft to sustain a level turn. The student maintained altitude by progressively applying up elevator and the instructor did not notice the incorrect setting because speed was assessed with reference to the ground in a 20 knot tailwind. The instructor delayed taking over the controls, because he thought that the aircraft was being subjected to mechanical turbulence generated by trees, over which they had flown.

Aircraft Details
Manufacturer
Unknown
Model
Thruster TST
Registration
Not Registered AUF NUMBER: 250040
Operation type
Sports Aviation
Departure point
"Koongarra" VIC
Departure time
1015
Destination
"Koongarra" VIC
Damage
Destroyed