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 minorly injuring the private pilot, after colliding with trees and terrain.
- The incident occurred during an aircraft familiarization flight when a pilot's power-off stall attempt, followed by adding power and applying right rudder, inadvertently resulted in a tight left spin.
- Despite the flight instructor taking control and verbalizing spin recovery inputs, the airplane continued to spin, ultimately striking trees and terrain during the post-spin dive recovery.
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