|
Aerobatics Server
ACRO E-mail Archive Thread: Glider accident on May 5, 1997 [International Aerobatic Club] [Communications] [Aerobatics Images] Disclaimer: These aerobatics pages are developed by individual IAC members and do not represent official IAC policy or opinion. |
[Usage Statistics] |
Thread: Glider accident on May 5, 1997
Message: Glider accident on May 5, 1997
Follow-Up To: ACRO Email list (for List Members only)
From: Salvadori Luca <lsalvadori at batman.laben.it>
Date: Thu, 08 May 1997 09:42:51 UTC
A PZL Puchacz two-seat glider crashed on May 5, 1997 on Alzata Brianza
Airfield, Northern Italy. Both crew, composed by Giancarlo Maestri (CFI) and
Angelo Colombo, died in the crash.
Witnesses say that glider, after entering a (presumably) voluntary spin at
safe altitude, did never recover from it and crashed inside airport area.
Mr. Colombo was training for CAA examination and spin recovery is a key part
of it.
Glider had been temporarily hired by Alzate Aero Club while its own glider
was under major maintenance.
Giancarlo Maestri, 67, was an expert glider instructor with several years of
experience, having performed a bright sporting career as well. Angelo
Colombo, 24, was both glider and aircraft pilot and, albeit young, was
highly estimated among his fellows.
Italian CAA is now investigating on the accident. Possible causes are at the
moment a mechanical failure, incapacitation of one or both pilots, or error
in recovery maneuver.
A similar accident on the same glider type happened some years ago in
Austria, and is believed to have been caused by failure in rudder hinges, At
the moment no official statement has been issued by Italian CAA about.
Luca Salvadori
European Correspondent
Sport Aerobatics