AO-1991-016 Santana Hang Glider, pilot lost control of hang glider during auto-turn and collided with terrain, near Levin, 30 June 1991

The pilot carried out two flights in her own hang glider before making a short flight, essentially an aborted auto-tow launch, in the accident glider. She had no difficulty gliding into the field from a height of some 40 or 50 feet. The second launch started normally but as the glider approached the usual top of climb point its nose up attitude increased by about 15, the tow rope parted, and the glider pitched up to a near vertical position. An ensuing steep dive and pitch up preceded a stall turn like manoevre following which the glider collided with the ground in a steep nosedown right wing low attitude. The accident was unsurvivable. A number of safety deficiencies were identified, and six recommendations were made to the Hang Gliding Association of New Zealand.