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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.

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • An S-LSA was substantially damaged during a collision with trees and terrain following an inadvertent spin and dive recovery, coming to rest inverted.
  • The private pilot sustained minor injuries, while the flight instructor was seriously injured during the incident.
  • The event occurred during an aircraft familiarization flight when a power-off stall attempt by the pilot resulted in a left yaw and a tight left spin after power was added.
  • Despite the flight instructor taking control and attempting spin recovery, the airplane continued to spin and lose altitude, ultimately striking trees and terrain during the post-spin dive recovery.
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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.

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