Executive summary
The aircraft was flying into the wind at about 250 feet above ground level and had made several turns when it was observed to bank very steeply to the left. It entered a steep spiral dive and shortly afterwards struck the ground. The instructor on board received fatal injuries on impact. A student pilot who occupied the left seat died at Christchurch Hospital later in the day from injuries sustained in the accident.
Related Recommendations
That copies of all exercise ECG tracing should be submitted to the PMO and not simply a report.
That individuals with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in particular be followed up on a regular basis according to age
More attention be paid to cardiovascular risk factors in asymptomatic individuals, in order to identify individuals with significant vascular disease, before the risk of pilot incapacitation becomes excessive.
That exercise ECGs may only be submitted to the PMO if they are recorded after the patient has discontinued antihypertensive medication for an appropriate period, so that a true maximal heart test can be achieved.