Investigation number
AE-2017-107
Occurrence date
Location
near Boggabilla
State
New South Wales
Report release date
Report status
Final
Investigation level
Defined
Investigation type
External Investigation
Investigation status
Completed
Aviation occurrence type
Collision with terrain
Highest injury level
Fatal

On 9 October 2017, a Jonker Sailplanes CC JSIC 18/21 sailplane, registered VH-IBS, collided with terrain near Boggabilla, NSW. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.

The Gliding Federation of Australia (GFA) requested assistance from the ATSB to download information from an avionics unit on-board the sailplane, on the accident flight.

The GFA sent the avionics unit (the unit) to the ATSB facilities in Canberra. The unit was a LXNAV LX900. The device was badly damaged, with damage to the internal electronic circuit board. A micro-SD card, which was attached to the main circuit board, was also cracked (Figure 1). This micro-SD card contained the flight data.

Figure 1: Micro-SD card recovered from the avionics unit with the crack highlighted inside the red box

Figure 1: Micro-SD card recovered from the avionics unit with the crack highlighted inside the red box

Source: ATSB

The micro-SD card was x-rayed, which confirmed damage to the internal electrical connections (Figure 2).

Figure 2: X-ray of micro-SD card with the crack highlighted inside the red box

 

 

 Figure 2: X-ray of micro-SD card with the crack highlighted inside the red box

Source: ATSB

 

The ATSB was unable to recover any data from the micro-SD card. A report documenting the ATSB’s work was provided to the GFA.

Any enquiries in relation to the investigation should be directed to the GFA.

 

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The information contained in this web update is released in accordance with section 25 of the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003 and is derived from the initial investigation of the occurrence. Readers are cautioned that new evidence will become available as the investigation progresses that will enhance the ATSB's understanding of the accident as outlined in this web update. As such, no analysis or findings are included in this update.

 

Aircraft Details
Model
Jonker Sailplanes, JS1C 18/21
Registration
VH-IBS
Operation type
Sports Aviation
Sector
Sport and recreational
Damage
Substantial