| CAA Investigate Fatal Gliding Accident |
The Civil Aviation Authority will launch an investigation into a fatal accident at the World Gliding Championships in New Zealand.
A 59-year-old pilot plummeted to his death near Wanaka yesterday evening, bringing a tragic end to day 3 of the event.
The Pilot has been identified as Herbert Weiss, 59, from Friedrichsruhe, Germany. Weiss, who had been gliding since 1969 and was twice German national champion, had clocked more than 8,600 flying hours, according to a statement released by organizers of the FAI World GP Gliding Championships.
Rescue helicopters found the crashed glider at about 20:30 on hillside above the Wilkins River.
Rescue Coordination Centre spokesman Ross Henderson says event organizers raised the alarm at about 18:20 when the glider was reported overdue.
An event spokesperson says Weiss was one of 17 overseas pilots competing in the event and considered to be among the best in the world.
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