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
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