Lone Peak PG Injury

An experienced pilot on a long cross country made a cell phone call to friends and pushed his Spot messenger 911 button. He did not remember the crash at the time but did suffer a fractured collar bone in three places and some neck and back injuries. Search and Rescue hiked to the 7400 foot level of Lone Peak and extracted this individual on a gurney which took many, many hours. He was hospitalized for a number of days. This highlights the importance of a Spot device. Also, please remember to check out your insurance coverage and see if they would cover the expense of a helicopter rescue, an injury due to flying, a rehab stay etc. (this post was edited on June 10th. to better reflect the actual facts)

Full Frontal Deflation off Launch - PG Injury

An excellent and experienced pilot took a frontal deflation off launch at a mtn. site in strong conditions. There was not sufficient altitude to recover despite his high skill level and correct responses to the event. The injury was to a single vertebrae - slight compression. Pilots are reminded that an assymetric deflation can be steered straight but a frontal simply takes time and altitude to recover. Also, as an aside, a glider that is old or out of trim will recover more slowly - consuming more altitude. It is recommended to learn your particular gliders full frontal recovery behavior in the proper environment with a coach.

Hang Glider non injury

A hang glider testing a new glider and harness configuration took off and flew briefly before landing (into the wind and pointed away from the hill) in the bushes just below launch. The pilots high hang position created a lack of authority which made the glider unmanageable.

Speed Flyer North Side Injury

A speed flyer took a low deflation on the North Side and suffered a head injury. Contributing factors were that it was 3:00 in the afternoon on a strong, north day. The pilot flew behind the parking area where he was susceptible to the effects of rotor turbulence from the houses. Items of note: the pilots trim tabs were set on fast which invites deflation and makes recovery take longer. Also, this particular location and condition has contributed to two notable speed flyer crashes over the last 4-5 years.

The Y PG - non injury

A pilot pushing the speed bar took a deflation and subsequently had some riser twists with a medium intensity spiral. Despite trying to throw the reserve, the G's precluded him from a successful deployment. He landed in snow and was able to hike out. A comprehensive report may be forthcoming.

Feb. 23 Paraglider Acro ( west desert )

A paraglider practicing full stalls had a malfunction and deployed his reserve which tangled preventing it from opening completely.  The injuries were fatal. This post may be updated with further valuable information.

June 2013 N Side - Crash into Parking Lot w Injuries

During considerably strong and thermic conditions, a highly experienced pilot was on approach to land at the park while flying a hot 17m acro wing.  He chose to set up over the parking lot.  About 30-40' over the cars, he encountered some rough air indicative to the mid-afternoon conditions.  The correction inputs, in an attempt to keep the glider on track, resulted in a spin.  The lack of altitude left no options other than riding it into the ground.  He sustained several injuries including a broken wrist, as well as multiple fractures in his pelvis and left radius.

It's a much safer option to lose altitude and set up your approach over the HG landing field, West of the bathrooms.  Ideally, closer to the bench's edge.  In strong conditions, highly turbulent air can be found low and deep back on the bench from rotor.  That coupled with the thermals produced by the black top parking lot can create a dangerous situation...especially early when the sun is still high.