The pilot had undertaken two dual check flights in a training
glider on the day of the accident. Both check flights were carried
out by a glider pilot who was neither rated nor authorised to
conduct them. The duty instructor, who was appropriately rated, was
available at the field but did not take part in the checking.
The pilot then flew a Club Libelle single seat glider on the
accident flight. Witnesses reported that soon after becoming
airborne from a winch launch, the glider was observed to adopt a
steep nose high attitude. It then rolled to the left and descended
rapidly before impacting the ground where it came to rest inverted.
The glider was destroyed in the impact and the 73 year old pilot
received fatal injuries.
An examination of the wreckage did not detect any defects which
may have contributed to the accident and a post-mortem examination
found no pre-existing medical condition which may have resulted in
pilot incapacitation.
The investigation determined that the pilot had limited recent
flying experience and this was his first flight in this type of
glider. The Gliding Federation of Australia (GFA) reported that
this glider type has been known to have the seat slide back during
the take off acceleration if it is not correctly locked. As the
pilot was of small stature he would have had difficulty controlling
the glider if this had occurred and could account for the steep
nose high attitude witnessed as the aircraft became airborne. The
extensive damage to the glider precluded any determination of the
seat position prior to impact.
The factors contributing to this accident were not positively
identified. However, the GFA have subsequently taken steps to
ensure that the assessment and checking of pilots is carried out in
accordance with the requirements of the GFA operations manual.