A Hang 4 pilot on an advanced (topless) wing failed to get airborne last night (April 16) on the North Side.
Conditions were very light- almost no wind, with light cycles of about 5mph. There was little to no wind when the accident occurred.
Pilot was fine, and there was no damage to glider.
The cause was the pilot attempting to launch with his nose too high (improper angle of attack). The pilot also said he didn't run enough, and jumped into the glider before it was flying. But the high nose angle was the main cause.
The pilot had been cautioned by a senior instructor to keep his nose down while preparing to launch.
The pilot landed in large bush directly below launch. The pilot said neither he nor the glider even hit the ground.
The pilot was cautioned to thoroughly inspect the glider before flying it again.
