Air Training Corps glider crash

[Dave Homewood]

I just heard on the 7.00pm Radio new Zealand National news that a glider being operated for an ATC gliding course crashed at Matamata yesterday. A 14-year-old cadet, Ryan Hodgkinson, was seriously injured and is in a critical condition in hospital.

I'm sure you will all join me in wishing him a speedy recovery.

This must be a real blow for the ATC, apparently this is the second crash they've suffered this year - I never heard about the first one but the report said no-one was injured in that one.

Good luck Ryan, get well soon!

[sqwark2k]

Ryan has improved overnight and today is no longer considered critical.

The first crash was during the sister course held at Waipukurau. The glider was caught short and attempted to land cross field amongst some of the aerodrome infrastructure. The glider struck a power transformer which then ignited a grass fire which eventually burnt 10 acres or the like and the glider itself.

[Dave Homewood]

Ah yes, I recall the news article now but didn't realise it was an ATC course.

That's great news about young Ryan.

[flyjoe180]

This is the first I have heard of these accidents. Grateful that there were no fatalities. Get well Ryan.

[sqwark2k]

Photo of the PW-6 Glider that ryan was in...



Photo from Christchurch Press via www.stuff.co.nz

[17sqn]

Just for an update...

Ryan is now back at school and at ATC and doing well.

[moreland]

Oh dear, I'm going on that course in April...