At 1304 Eastern time, the S-LSA was substantially damaged during collision with trees and terrain following an inadvertent spin and dive recovery. The private pilot sustained minor injuries; the flight instructor was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed. During an aircraft familiarization flight and at about 2500 msl, the pilot initiated a power-off stall. At the onset of the stall, he added power and the airplane “yawed left.” He applied right rudder and the airplane “snapped into a tight spin to the left.” The instructor took control and verbalized her spin recovery inputs as she performed them, but the airplane continued to spin and lose altitude. The airplane eventually stopped spinning but during the post-spin dive recovery, it struck trees and terrain, coming to rest inverted.
December 21, 2009, Suffolk, Va., Czech Aircraft Works Sportcruiser
At 1304 Eastern time, the S-LSA was substantially damaged during collision with trees and terrain following an inadvertent spin and dive recovery. The private pilot sustained minor injuries; the flight instructor was seriously injured. Visual conditions prevailed.
Key Takeaways:
- An S-LSA was substantially damaged, seriously injuring the flight instructor and causing minor injuries to the pilot, after an inadvertent spin and subsequent collision with trees and terrain.
- The incident occurred during a familiarization flight when the pilot initiated a power-off stall, then added power at the onset, causing the aircraft to yaw left and enter a "tight spin."
- Despite the flight instructor's verbalized spin recovery attempts, the aircraft continued to spin and lose altitude, eventually impacting trees and terrain during the post-spin dive recovery.
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