Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 22, 2017 0:48:35 GMT 12
Australian pilot dies in crash during glider competition in Wanaka
21 Nov, 2017 7:13pm
/arc-anglerfish-syd-prod-nzme.s3.amazonaws.com/public/VNTUBPHNFVCOVDDDTKAHKGZFHI.jpg)
A glider has crashed near Lake Hawea in Wanaka. Photo/ File
NZ Herald
An Australian glider pilot has died in a crash during a gliding competition in Wanaka this afternoon.
The experienced pilot was competing in the South Island Gliding Championships and had taken off from the Omarama competition base before crashing in the Hunter Range near Lake Hawea.
Police received a report of a glider crash about 5.30pm, Otago Lakes Central Area Commander Inspector Olaf Jensen said.
"A helicopter was deployed from Queenstown with a paramedic and police on board to find the crash site, but while it was responding, a person in a privately owned fixed wing aircraft located the wreckage.''
Jensen said the sole occupant of the glider was found dead by emergency services at the scene.
Gliding New Zealand spokesman Nigel Davy said the man was highly experienced.
"At this stage we have limited information around the crash but we can confirm he was a high-hour pilot from Melbourne, with in excess of 4500 hours in his logbook," Davy said.
"He was very current flying in the mountains as he had arrived more than a week ago to get current with his flying.''
St Johns spokesman Gerard Campbell said he received a report of a glider crash about 2km east of Lake Hawea about 6.40pm.
He said a rescue helicopter had been sent from Queenstown to help out but there would be no medical involvement from St John.
A spokesman said other glider pilots in the area alerted emergency services to the crash.
Police are working to formally establish the man's identity and then will begin the process of notifying the man's family.
The death will be referred to the Coroner and the Civil Aviation Authority will be notified.
It's the second fatal glider crash in a week after experienced 72-year-old pilot Ricco Legler crashed near Kaikohe on Thursday.
Additional reporting Otago Daily Times.
21 Nov, 2017 7:13pm
A glider has crashed near Lake Hawea in Wanaka. Photo/ File
NZ Herald
An Australian glider pilot has died in a crash during a gliding competition in Wanaka this afternoon.
The experienced pilot was competing in the South Island Gliding Championships and had taken off from the Omarama competition base before crashing in the Hunter Range near Lake Hawea.
Police received a report of a glider crash about 5.30pm, Otago Lakes Central Area Commander Inspector Olaf Jensen said.
"A helicopter was deployed from Queenstown with a paramedic and police on board to find the crash site, but while it was responding, a person in a privately owned fixed wing aircraft located the wreckage.''
Jensen said the sole occupant of the glider was found dead by emergency services at the scene.
Gliding New Zealand spokesman Nigel Davy said the man was highly experienced.
"At this stage we have limited information around the crash but we can confirm he was a high-hour pilot from Melbourne, with in excess of 4500 hours in his logbook," Davy said.
"He was very current flying in the mountains as he had arrived more than a week ago to get current with his flying.''
St Johns spokesman Gerard Campbell said he received a report of a glider crash about 2km east of Lake Hawea about 6.40pm.
He said a rescue helicopter had been sent from Queenstown to help out but there would be no medical involvement from St John.
A spokesman said other glider pilots in the area alerted emergency services to the crash.
Police are working to formally establish the man's identity and then will begin the process of notifying the man's family.
The death will be referred to the Coroner and the Civil Aviation Authority will be notified.
It's the second fatal glider crash in a week after experienced 72-year-old pilot Ricco Legler crashed near Kaikohe on Thursday.
Additional reporting Otago Daily Times.
