iscover
Richard Gardner, 53, died while conducting an aerobatic flight in August 2021, with the remnants of his aircraft eventually scattered over a 2.4km area.
The Courier-Mail has reported that 22-year-old Rhiley Kuhrt, who was en route with 24-year-old wife Maree to a medical appointment when their Piper Cherokee (similar aircraft pictured) went down in a storm west of Proserpine, Queensland, had completed 30 hours of recreational pilot licence (RPL) training at a local aero club but left before completing the course.
The E22 Spark aircraft, built by Adelaide-based Bader Aero, is a two-seater with 180m takeoff, a max range of 300+ kilometres, up to 90-minute flight time, and a cruising speed of 110-130 knots.
Despite “almost certainly” wearing a helmet and four-point restraints, the pilot of the plane, registered VH-ACQ, lost their life when the AT-400’s fuel tanks ruptured during the accident near Moree, NSW, causing a fatal fire.
The plane, registered as VH-SIP, began running rough during a post-maintenance check flight at around 300 feet above ground level, before stalling and crashing, killing the pilot.
The incident took place in January 2022, and the propeller was eventually found on the beach adjacent to the airport, with the tip of one of the blades separated.
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