Technical fault takes life of pilot
Date: 16 January 2008
The following artice is a rough translataion from an Afrikaans article that appeared in Beeld:
By Erika Gibson
A senior airforce pilot with more than 30 years flying experience died yesterday when a technical problem was the likely cause of the crash of his training aircraft shortly after take-off.
Lt Col Chris Meiring, 50, died shortly after the accident at the airforce's Test Flight and Development Centre at AFB Overberg near Bredasdorp.
According to eye witnesses, the Pilatus Astra training aircraft crashed shortly after take-off just after 12h00 when it rolled over and flew into the ground. It is dangerous to use the ejection seat in such a situation as in a roll, the ejection seat could fire into the ground.
Meiring's seat was found outside the wreck, indicating that there was a possibility that he ejected.
Emergency services were at the scene to attend to him, but he died shortly thereafter.
The aircraft are used for the basic training of airforce pilots.
Experts say that a variety of technical problems could have caused the crash.
An uncommanded roll shortly after take-off could be caused by serious structural or engine problems.
A Board of Inquiry into the accident had been convened by the airforce.
Experts said that a possible cause of the accident could have been engine related, one of the leading reasons that aircraft crash shortly after take-off.
Another Astra pilot said that structural defects, such as when the cockpit opens in flight, could be another reason. Just such a fault occurred a few years ago with another Astra, but the pilot miraculously landed safely.
The aircraft was written-off due to structural damage.
Meiring was a maritime pilot who flew Dakota and Albatross aircraft. Thereafter, he became the operational coordinator of the Central flying School at Langebaanweg.
He believed the post at Bredasdorp was his "retirement post" before he would retire to his house by the sea.
According to colleagues, he lived to fly and wanted to fly until his retirement.
He leaves his wife, Anna, and two daughters.
