AO-1990-039Harvard 2A (AT6) ZK-ENN and Harvard ZK-ENE, mid-air collision during formation aerobatics display, Ardmore Aerodrome, 25 February 1990
Aviation
Published date
16 July 1991
Accident/Incident date
25 February 1990
Status
Published
Jurisdiction
New Zealand
Executive summary
The aircraft, number 4 in a formation "bomb burst" manoeuvre, collided with number 3 aircraft in the formation. After the collision the number 4 aircraft dived straight into the ground while the pilot of number 3 was able to make an emergency landing. The pilot of number 4 aircraft was killed in the accident.
The formation leader rely on his own judgement if he doubted a person's fitness to fly rather than seek a subjective reassurance from that person in front of his peers.
The formation team leader consider including in the briefing prior to formation flying a discussion on the action to take if a pilot, particularly the person flying in the number 4 position, became disoriented.
