SAFA Skysailor Magazine

42 SKY SAILOR July | August 2023 AIRS Safety Wrap-up #1482 – Fatal WM accident, Vic PIC took off in their Airborne Edge X weight-shift microlight aircraft, from a private airstrip at Kooweerup (Vic). The aircraft was fitted with an Aeros Still 17 TL wing, instead of the Airborne Wizard wing with which the aircraft was certified. This configuration was not advised to SAFA and was not approved by the manufacturer. Shortly after take-off, a large bang was heard from the aircraft and witnesses turned to see the aircraft at approximately 100ft agl. The aircraft was observed to pitch up before stalling and plummeting to the ground. The witnesses reached the pilot who could not be revived and was declared deceased at the scene. The pilot’s helmet was missing and found some distance from the wreckage in a damaged state with shards from the broken propeller. An examination of the wreckage was con- ducted. The propeller hub and bolts showing evidence of a crushing force being applied around the hub, caused by one, or both, of the rear cables of the trike base wrapping around the propeller hub at high energy load. Further, the rear cables from the aircraft wing had been severed and were badly frayed and partially crushed, displaying signs of coiling, consistent with having been struck by, and then wrapped around the propeller hub at high speed. The coroner in examining the evidence concluded, “The evidence does not enable me to find the exact sequence of events… However, I am satisfied that at some stage after leaving the ground, the rear cables from the wing have come into contact with the propellor of the aircraft, which has then caused significant damage to the propellor and its hub. It is possible that during this process, PIC’s helmet has become damaged and dislodged.” All weight-shift microlight pilots are notified that these aircraft can only be operated in the configuration that has been certified by the manufacturer. Next, a water landing. Water landings present a significant hazard and pilots should avoid them at all costs. Carry a hook knife in an easily accessible place. Read on… #1341 – Crash of PPG trike into water 500m south of Hastings Point, NSW PIC has taken off from Murwillumbah (NSW) airfield at 7am, on a planned three-hour flight to run-in a new engine in their wheel-base PPG. Whilst flying they have had earplugs in and music playing through the headset. About an hour later PIC was approaching Casuarina Beach. During the flight the pilot noticed significant engine vibration but put that down to the larger engine. They made a turn to the north to gauge the strength of the prevailing wind, then headed south and continued to Hastings Point. PIC decided to practice an emergency landing near the point and proceeded to climb over the sea to avoid annoying beachgoers. The pilot then took an easy downwind glide towards the beach but lost awareness of their altitude whilst checking instruments, and that they were in a headwind. Realising that they were very close to sea level, the pilot attempted