Pilot error caused crash during spin practice instructor had done many times
A commercial pilot mishandled spin recovery, and the instructor failed to intervene before the crash.
A Cessna 210N took off from Goolwa Airport south of Adelaide on February 6. The plane crashed into the ocean near the Murray River mouth just 12 minutes later, killing all three on board.
The instructor was Leo Howard, 53, of Morphett Vale. With him were Tristan Scheffers, 18, of Freeling, and a 20-year-old from Pasadena.
The flight was meant to give the commercial pilot experience under Howard's supervision. Howard had a history of practicing unauthorized spins in the same aircraft, always recovering successfully.
Each success likely gave him confidence to start spins at lower and lower heights. But this time, the commercial pilot mishandled the recovery during the early stages of the spin.
Howard did not intervene in time to recover the aircraft. The crash happened at a popular fishing spot where the Murray River meets the Southern Ocean.
- Leo Howard, 53, of Morphett Vale
- Instructor
- 12 minutes
- Time to crash
- 3
- Deaths
- February 6
- Crash date
Why it mattersDangerous practices by experienced pilots can remain hidden until they cause tragedy if no one reports violations.
AustraliaThe crash reveals a flaw in Australia's aviation safety reporting: other pilots knew of violations but didn't report them, believing it wasn't their responsibility.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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