By Trend News Line 2024-03-28 08:00:51.
The Tragic Incident
In a shocking turn of events, a 22-year-old tandem pilot in South Africa has been labelled as “reckless” after a mid-air collision led to the death of his passenger. The victim, Scottish rugby coach Greig Oliver, 58, was visiting South Africa with his son as part of an under-20s rugby tour when the fatal accident occurred during a tandem flight from Signal Hill in Cape Town. The incident took place at approximately 4.24pm local time on 3 July 2023.
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The Collision
The recently released accident report from the South African Civil Aviation Authority revealed that the young tandem pilot, identified only as a 22-year-old male with 380 hours of flight-time, was performing wingovers over the sea at an altitude of about 800ft when he collided with another tandem. The collision caused the second pilot and passenger to be briefly entangled with the glider.
The Aftermath
While the second tandem pair, flown by a seasoned 62-year-old pilot, managed to land safely without any injuries, Pilot 1’s wing sustained damage in the collision, prompting him to deploy his tandem reserve. Both pilot and passenger then landed in the ocean, approximately 114m from shore. Despite the pilot’s ability to free himself and reach the shore, Greig Oliver was tragically unable to release himself from his harness and was later declared dead at the scene.
The Report Findings
The official report condemned Pilot 1 for his “reckless” flying behaviour, stating that there was no logical reason for him to engage in wingovers without ensuring clear airspace or carrying a hook-knife for emergency situations. The report criticised Pilot 1 for displaying a disregard for safety and poor airmanship.
Recommendations and Regulations
In response to the incident, the report made several recommendations, including the mandatory use of quick-release karabiners and the carrying of hook-knives by tandem pilots. It also highlighted the need for clear regulations differentiating between tourist passengers and registered student pilots to avoid similar tragedies in the future.
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The Victim
Greig Oliver, a former Scotland rugby international who had relocated to Ireland in 2007, was in South Africa with his son Jack for the World Rugby U20 world championship. Despite being classified as a student pilot for what was intended to be a brief tourist flight, Greig found himself in a life-threatening situation that ultimately led to his untimely death.
Final Thoughts
The report, issued by the Accident and Incident Investigations Division of the South African Civil Aviation Authority, serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety protocols and regulations in aviation activities. The tragic outcome of this incident underscores the need for vigilance and responsible flying practices to prevent similar accidents in the future..
Tandem pilot branded reckless
Accident report tandem pilot branded reckless.
