Accident in Namibia, SH Ventus 2cxm

+1 Sean
I film and log all my flights (position is also streamed in real time to SkyLines and LiveTrack24) so that if something happens people can figure out how I screwed up even if the authorities refuse to release the data or take years to finalize the accident investigation.
The update rate on the live tracking may not capture the last few seconds or there may be spotty coverage but at least people should be able to figure out if I was being stupid enough to scratch around at low altitude and low airspeed a few moments before.

In the absence of reliable eye witnesses all that people can do is speculate but the high speed vertical component in most of these accidents tends to point towards low altitude stall/spin scenarios.

Here are the fatal glider crashes in Namibia and South Africa that I am aware from January 2014 to date.

20th January 2014
Location: Tempe airport, South Africa
Glider: JS1C
Injuries/fatalities: 1 fatality
Pilot experience: The 51 year old Norwegian pilot had over 1000 hours of gliding experience and previously flew F16's in the Norwegian Airforce.
Cause: Stall/spin off an aerotow at 300 feet AGL according to eye witnesses..

24th May 2014
Location: Howick, South Africa
Glider: ASK 13
Injuries/fatalities: 2 fatalities
Pilot experience: A 62 year old with over 30 years flying experience and a 65 year old with more than 10 years flying experience.
Cause: Probably stall and spin from low altitude while ridge soaring.

30th November 2014
Location: Kiripotib, Namibia
Glider: ASH-25-EB-28
Injuries/fatalities: 2 fatalities
Pilot experience: Two very experienced New Zealand pilots aged 66 and 77.
Cause: Unknown

4th October 2015
Location: Potchefstroom, South Africa
Glider: Speed Astir
Injuries/fatalities: 1 fatality
Pilot experience: A 58 year old with 250 flying hours.
Cause: Probably low altitude stall/spin. Pilot was apparently scratching for lift at low altitude close the the airfield.

24th December 2015
Location: Bitterwasser, Namibia
Glider: Ventus 2CX
Injuries/fatalities: 1 fatality
Pilot experience: 46-year-old Swiss pilot. Flying experience unknown.
Cause: Unknown

On Tuesday, January 5, 2016 at 2:10:39 AM UTC-5, Surge wrote:
+1 Sean
I film and log all my flights (position is also streamed in real time to SkyLines and LiveTrack24) so that if something happens people can figure out how I screwed up even if the authorities refuse to release the data or take years to finalize the accident investigation.
The update rate on the live tracking may not capture the last few seconds or there may be spotty coverage but at least people should be able to figure out if I was being stupid enough to scratch around at low altitude and low airspeed a few moments before.

In the absence of reliable eye witnesses all that people can do is speculate but the high speed vertical component in most of these accidents tends to point towards low altitude stall/spin scenarios.

Here are the fatal glider crashes in Namibia and South Africa that I am aware from January 2014 to date.

20th January 2014
Location: Tempe airport, South Africa
Glider: JS1C
Injuries/fatalities: 1 fatality
Pilot experience: The 51 year old Norwegian pilot had over 1000 hours of gliding experience and previously flew F16's in the Norwegian Airforce.
Cause: Stall/spin off an aerotow at 300 feet AGL according to eye witnesses.

24th May 2014
Location: Howick, South Africa
Glider: ASK 13
Injuries/fatalities: 2 fatalities
Pilot experience: A 62 year old with over 30 years flying experience and a 65 year old with more than 10 years flying experience.
Cause: Probably stall and spin from low altitude while ridge soaring.

30th November 2014
Location: Kiripotib, Namibia
Glider: ASH-25-EB-28
Injuries/fatalities: 2 fatalities
Pilot experience: Two very experienced New Zealand pilots aged 66 and 77.
Cause: Unknown

4th October 2015
Location: Potchefstroom, South Africa
Glider: Speed Astir
Injuries/fatalities: 1 fatality
Pilot experience: A 58 year old with 250 flying hours.
Cause: Probably low altitude stall/spin. Pilot was apparently scratching for lift at low altitude close the the airfield.

24th December 2015
Location: Bitterwasser, Namibia
Glider: Ventus 2CX
Injuries/fatalities: 1 fatality
Pilot experience: 46-year-old Swiss pilot. Flying experience unknown.
Cause: Unknown

Surge, is there a report available for the accident on 20th January 2014? If so could you send me a link?

Andrzej

On Wednesday, 6 January 2016 01:01:08 UTC+2, Andrzej Kobus wrote:
Surge, is there a report available for the accident on 20th January 2014? If so could you send me a link?

Andrzej

Unfortunately the South African CAA hasn't posted the accident report online yet so I can only assume that they're still busy finalising the investigation or they've failed to publish it on their website (neither of which would surprise me).
http://www.caa.co.za/Pages/Accidents...t-reports.aspx


Eye witnesses report seeing the glider spin in from approximately 300 feet AGL and the tug pilot reported a severe pull on the tow rope which broke.

The only official news was a statement made by the Chairman of Soaring Society of South Africa:

At 12h20 today a 51 year old pilot from Norway was killed in a social gliding accident near Tempe airport. The next of kin was informed telephonically shortly thereafter. The pilot is known as Mr Arent Arntzen and was killed when his aircraft allegedly spun into the ground after breaking the tow rope of the "tug plane" taking the glider up. The Pilot has more than 1000 hours of gliding experience and previously flew F16's in the Norwegian Airforce.

The tug pilot immediately radioed the accident to a passing military helicopter who dropped a paramedic at the scene shortly thereafter. The local flying school operation at Tempe was also contacted and implemented the emergency protocol immediately. It is believed that the pilot was killed on impact. Tempe hosts gliding facilities for Europeans wishing to fly in South Africa for leisure during their winter months.

The Civil Aviation Authority has been contacted and will proceed with an investigation as to the reason for the accident.

Soaring is regarded as one of the safest sports and have a very good track record. Whether the pilot incurred a medical problem, pilot error or equipment failure is best left to the investigation team to discourage speculation.

The Soaring Society of South Africa extends its condolences to the family of the deceased.

Kind regards

Dirk Smit
Chairman of Soaring Society of South Africa - SSSA