OZ Midair

Today (Sunday 24th) a PG and a tandem HG had a midair with both pilots killed. The tandem passenger is in a critical but stable condition (whatever that means). The accident happened at Stanwell Park a popular spot south of Sydney. The HG pilot was a very experienced tandem pilot, PG pilot an unknow at this stage.

Not many details at this stage as to what actually happened or who was at fault. Will post a follow up if any more come to light.

A black week for Australian HG and PG with three fatalities in a week.

Chris.

Fly safe.

I am sorry to hear about another set of accidents.

This second tragedy makes me curious about the liscencing/rating system down there and the subsequent insurance ramifications. Can someone breifly explain Austrialian system as it compares to the US and European systems?

The pilot of the paraglider was Vitali Kouznetsov, a Restricted Certificate holder who learnt to fly at Stanwell Park. He had gained between 50 and 100 hours experience over the past twenty-month period, the majority of which were whilst flying at Stanwell Park.

The hang glider pilot was Glen Connor of Otford, owner/operator of 'Skybound Hang Gliding School'. Glen (known as 'Chuck' has been a qualified hang gliding instructor since 21/7/1983 and has approximately 1850 hours hang gliding experience, the majority of which would have been tandem. His wife Sue and brother Adrian were on the hill and witnessed the accident.

So why are you curious???? Do you really think qualifications and ratings played a part in this???

Do you have any information about the other fatality that occurred last week?

Was this last accident just a case of not looking out?

Check out the post from John T on 18/9 for details of the first accident.

Not much info on hte latest one at Stanwell yet....since it is the subject of a inquest everyone is probably wary about saying anything.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/regionals/illawarra/default.htm#regilw-26s... 2 has the local news about the incident.

Chris.