A pilot flying in light, cross wind + thermals at the North Side ( w. traffic ) executed a low 360, over braked and caused the glider to spin and then stall. After the glider spun and subsequently stalled the pilot stayed deep in the brakes. The glider did not recover. He was transported by ambulance, injuries unknown.
Don't make low circles in thermals and always exercise maximum weight shift when expediting the completion of a turn. This minimizes the amount of brake necessary/ reduces the odds of inadvertent spin. In order to make good weight shift in an emergency, pilots need to weight shift every single turn, every single day. That is why it is so heavily stressed in some training. We owe it to ourselves to be athletic in the harness.
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
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).
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).
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
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
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
Friday, January 25, 2013
2013 N. Side Reserve (PG) non injury
First reserve toss of 2013
from eye witness:
On Sunday, Jan. 13, a local pilot experienced some unusual air on the Northside, and reported that he felt his wing sinking rapidly, and behaving in an unusual manner. He threw his reserve and landed in snow, on the steep hillside above the northside behind some houses. He thought he probably would have had enough time to get the wing flying properly, but given the situation, felt it was better to go down on reserve. No injuries.
comment from safety blogger: some older gliders flew pretty well when wet or when frozen - the more current the technology, the worse they tend to fly in rain or snow etc. If you get caught in rain or snow, avoid big brake inputs, keep a foot on the speed bar and/ or ride a tiny bit of speed to avoid deep stall events. Do some internet research to find out if your particular glider behaves poorly in moist conditions. Great job by this pilot getting the reserve out.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Reserve Deployment North Side Acro PG Non Injury
An experienced and avid acro pilot threw his reserve and landed safely on the side of the hill on the lower hill. It's quite nice that he didn't land among cars or people. Acro pilots are reminded to maneuver in such a way that they will land SW of the cars or in front of the bench in the event of a reserve deployment. The last two acro related reserve deployments landed the pilots in ok position. Ideally, pilots would maneuvers slightly further to the SW.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
North Side Blow Back Non Injury PG
A visiting pilot who hadn't received a proper North Side briefing flew on a strong night, benched up and subsequently went too far behind the top of the hill. He DIDN'T throw his reserve despite being in what was clearly strong rotor. This is generally thought of as being an error. Other pilots have landed in the same rotor without reserve and been severely injured. In rotor, reserves are a great bet.
Inspo Open Distance Reserve Deployment Non Injury PG
A competitor in the open distance competition at Inspo had a malfunction on his competition glider and threw his reserve. His landing was on a steep hill and he was able to fly again the next day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)