On 18 February 2024, during a winch launch at approximately 700 feet above ground level, the right wing of the LAK-12 glider failed, resulting in a collision with terrain. The pilot was fatally injured.
The New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is investigating this occurrence. CAA has requested assistance and the appointment of an accredited representative from the ATSB.
To facilitate this support and to provide the appropriate protections for the information, the ATSB appointed an accredited representative in accordance with paragraph 5.23 of the International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 13 and commenced an investigation under the Australian Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.
The ATSB was requested to examine and assess the possibility of recovering data from a damaged memory card. The ATSB x-rayed the memory card to enable an assessment and determined that the internal damage was such that the data was not recoverable by the ATSB.
With the completion of the examination and assessment and the return of the evidence to the CAA, the ATSB has concluded its involvement in the investigation of this accident.
Any enquiries relating to the investigation should be directed to CAA New Zealand.