A coroner says a “cavalier” attitude to regulation in the hang-gliding community must be fixed to prevent future tragedies.
The Coroners Court in Wellington heard a series of strange events preceded the death of Andrew Mark Cairns, known to friends as Mark, near Paekakariki in March 2011.
It was Cairns’ first time trying a technique called ridge soaring and his first time flying a Kea glider, which was not airworthy, and was meant for more experienced pilots.
The inquest confirmed Mr Cairns was drinking on the day he died. He was found after the accident with alcohol levels similar to the legal adult drink-drive limit.
At today’s hearing, Mr Cairns’ partner Dr Kim Worthington criticised a piecemeal approach to regulation and training in the sport.
She said Mr Cairns sat safety tests in the home of hang-glider Ross Gray, and asked him questions while filling out answers.
Dr Worthington said Mr Cairns and a friend, David Dorne “joked about the fact Ross had provided Mark with all the answers to the test”.
She said there was “a whole culture, it seems, of just disregarding regulations” in the hang-gliding community.
Mr Gray denied giving Mr Cairns answers but admitted the Manawatu Hang Gliding and Paragliding Club had changed its testing regimen since Mr Cairns’ death.
The court also heard Mr Dorne took three hours to call police after losing sight of Mr Cairns.
Mr Dorne said he raised the alarm by contacting Mr Gray on a cellphone a stranger lent him. He believed Mr Cairns died after attempting a risky “top landing” on a hill notorious for its unpredictable winds, against advice.
The court heard Mr Cairns earlier took possession of the Kea hang-glider from Mr Gray in bizarre circumstances, tying it to his car roof while Mr Gray was on the toilet.
“When I came out, the glider was packed and on Mark’s car,” Mr Gray said
It did not have a warrant of fitness. “I specifically told Mark, in no uncertain terms, he wasn’t to fly the glider until it was re-inspected,” Mr Gray said.
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) investigator Dan Foley said the glider’s main flying wires needed replacing, as did the keel pocket. Mr Foley said these repairs were not carried out properly.
Glenn Meadows, a hang-glider since 1989, said damage to the glider was consistent with a hard, sudden impact.
“The right wing appeared to have been completely twisted under itself,” he added.
When Coroner Ian Smith asked Mr Meadows if he thought a “rather cavalier set of events” preceded Mr Cairns’ death, Mr Meadows said everybody was just trying their best to get Mr Cairns flying. The coroner disagreed.
Grant Tatham, a pilot since 1979, earlier instructed Mr Cairns. “He was super-enthusiastic, one of the most enthusiastic people I’ve seen.”
Mr Cairns had a black belt in Taekwondo. He oversaw construction of Levin’s courthouse and a nearby hospital, managing 60 to 90 contractors.
“He was deeply competitive and had a strong desire to compete and win,” Dr Worthington said. “He was never safety conscious,” she added. “That was part of him that I loved … he lived life to the fullest.”
Coroner Smith ordered the CAA, Dr Worthington and a national hang-gliding organisation to file submissions within 30 days and said he would give his final decision after that.
- APNZ
