Africa-Press – Namibia. A TRAINEE pilot on a solo navigation flight sustained serious back injuries when the aircraft he was flying crashed next to the airstrip at the Roidina Safari Lodge.
According to an aircraft accident investigator, the crash occurred at about 12:20 on Saturday afternoon while the trainee pilot, a 44-year-old man, was performing a manoeuvre called touch-and-go which calls for the trainee pilot to set the wheels of the Piper Cherokee 180 aircraft down on the airstrip before taking off again.
While the aircraft was on the ascent after the pilot performed the manoeuvre, a strong gust of wind from the side caused the aircraft to tip over and crash to the ground beneath.
According to the investigator, the aircraft was about ten metres into the air and gaining height when it suddenly tipped over and crashed into some trees on the side of the airstrip at the well-known safari lodge about 20 kilometres to the northeast of Omaruru.
The investigator said the trainee pilot took off from the aerodrome in Swakopmund and flew in the direction of Omaruru where he was to perform the touch-and-go manoeuvre.
He also had to do the same at the airstrip at Uis before returning to the Swakopmund Aerodrome. After the crash, the owner of the Roidina Lodge helped the injured pilot out of the wreck and rushed him to the hospital in Omaruru.
The trainee pilot sustained deep cuts to his head and the wounds were closed up. X-rays revealed that he had injured his back as well. He was transferred to the Cottage Hospital in Swakopmund for further treatment on his injured back. The wrecked aircraft belongs to the Swakopmund Flying School.
