Despite a number of deaths in the Riverina, the safety of amateur-built sport and ultralight aircraft has been defended by one of the region’s flying clubs.
It comes after former Tumut deputy mayor Ben Dumbrell was killed when his light aircraft crashed on a private property near Adelong earlier this month.
An experienced pilot and passionate aviator, Mr Dumbrell was also a flying instructor with the Holbrook Ultralight Club (HUC), where he helped establish a pilot training school.
HUC president Bryan Gabriel said Mr Dumbrell was flying a Rand Robinson KR-2 light aircraft, not an ultralight at the time of his death.
Mr Gabriel told The Daily Advertiser yesterday he couldn’t comment on specific safety aspects of the amateur-built aircraft, citing it was constructed under the Sporting Aircraft Association of Australia (SAAA) banner.
“I don’t know any history of that aircraft at all ... I think Ben was only the second owner of it,” Mr Gabriel said.
“KR-2s are amateur-built aircraft, but you do not have to belong to the SAAA in order to build, own or operate the aircraft,” SAAA national president, Martin Ongley, said in a statement.
“Mr Dumbrell was not a current member of the SAAA.”
Although he admitted there had been “a few” ultralight deaths in the club’s 28-year history, Mr Gabriel said the industry had suffered for decades as a result of media reports incorrectly stating some aircraft as ultralights.
He labelled people’s views on light aircraft accidents a “rather silly comparison” and said there were plenty of more dangerous activities including riding a quad bike or even using roller skates.
“I guess it’s because (the aircraft) are so unusual ... not a day goes by where you don’t see an accident involving a sedan,” Mr Gabriel said.
“We’ve had more accidents on Wagga Road involving people coming out to the airfield than in the aircraft.”
Former Tumut mayor John Larter told the Advertiser just after Mr Dumbrell’s death there would be some who were critical of light aircraft.
“I’m sure if he was going to go, that would have been how he’d want to go, he loved flying,” Mr Larter said.
“It’s just an unfortunate accident ... the last thing he would want is anything negative (to be said) of the aviation industry.”
In June last year, a 58-year-old man died after his ultralight crashed near Temora, while a couple were killed when their microlight plane caught fire and crashed after it clipped a windmill at a property on Stockinbingal Road near Cootamundra.
In October 2009, another crash near Hay claimed the life of a man in his 50s, while a number of people have escaped with only injuries after other crashes.
Most recently, two men were lucky to survive when a gust of wind unsettled a trike aircraft as it attempted to land at Wagga Airport in May.
Mr Dumbrell, acknowledged in his death notice as a “champion bloke”, will be farewelled at a memorial service in Tumut’s Stockwell Gardens today at 1.30pm, following his private cremation.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Tumut Hospital Auxiliary can be left at the service.
Source: http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au
Rand Robinson KR-2, VH-CTE, Accident occurred October 05, 2013 in Adelong, NSW - Australia
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