N Side Impact - PG No Injury

Saturday, March 23

While flying the lower bench, the pilot flew through the front side of a strong thermal.  He reported that while trying to turn one direction, the wing wanted to spin in the opposite direction.  The combination of corrective input and the rough air resulted in a spin + parachutal stall.  He dropped and impacted the hill about half way up the snow covered lower bench with no injury.  High porosity in his wing may have been a contributor (6 years old, third owner with heavy use throughout).       

North Side PG Back Injury

Sunday, March 10  2013

Lift on the North Side was strong and thermic with the occasional sink cycle.  During one of the flushes, the pilot found himself dropping below the top of the lower bench and was deep in the breaks scratching close to the hill.  Eventually, he was so deep in brakes that the glider went into full stall and he swung back impacting the hill.  First responders reported that he never lost consciousness and complained of lower back pain.  Ambulances arrived on the scene and extracted him from the hill.  Later, it was reported that he suffered fractured vertebrae and required back surgery but is expected to make a full recovery.

Factors that may have reduced further injury:
- Flying a harness with back protection including air bag (seat board was broken due to impact)
- Landed on a steep section of the hill with relatively soft dirt