Hi Richard, Fear of manoeuvring when low level might have an inexperienced pilot over ruddering the turn. This pro-spin cross control in low level turbulent air (higher "g" transients) can certainly drive one into an incipient spin. Coupled with lack of spin currency hightening a natural fear when pointing at the ground at such low heights and perhaps driving one to pull back on the stick. We certainly see similar response in many other types of accidents where clear evidence proves pilot error. (Passenger airliners spin in too and there is clear "black box" evidence of this.) Also, at BSS we had the chance to observe back seat video of a wings level sideways landing into a soft sandy paddock where the yaw string was at right angle to the longitudinal axis. The low hours pilot was evidently still trying to turn the ACFT with rudder alone. The scooping action shown by the wheel track confirmed the video. So there is enough evidence that pilots react adversely under pressure. In any case, to an experienced witness on the ground, we sometimes get a pretty good idea if the correct anti-spin recovery was initiated. With reference to an earlier comment. I spoke to one of the instructors who had the near accident in a Puchacz at Beverley. He told me they were "experimenting" with the spin by holding in the anti-spin controls held in after recovery to check entry characteristics for the opposite direction. My understanding was that doing this over the hills to the west of the field with AFLD QFE set on the altimeters complicating the situation. In any case they recovered from the spin but it was a harrowing experence at this low height recovery. In any case, it was not a required JAR 22 manoeuvre for the manufacturer to run, a Flight Manual procedure, a GFA procedure and the height was a further consideration. So this was (in my opinion) an ad hoc test flight that went wrong for the pilots. Luckily they still made a recovery from the subsequent spin all be it to a landing on higher ground than expected. Apologies to the other pilot whom I have not spoken to about this incident. We certainly still spin the Puchacz without restriction at BSS. (Obviously with no part of the manoeuvre planned below 1000ft height as required for all ACFT) So you can appreciate we have no issue with our Puchacz and I haven't had anyone request they use another ACFT for the required training or checking. The remaining issue is currency to remove the fear and at BSS, not the ACFT.
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