|
|
 |
Safety Talk
Here's a link to the SSF's listing of the 2004 accident reports. -LINK-
It would be nice to eliminate all soaring accidents, but since we can't, we
should at least learn from them. Here's my summary. Of the 29
soaring accidents that the NTSB investigated in 2004, eight resulted in
fatalities. One was a mid-air between two gliders and would have
resulted in two fatalities had it not been for the second pilot's parachute.
Two other fatalities were attributed to the en-route phase; one was an
in-flight breakup and the other was a ground impact due to unknown causes.
Two of the fatalities were tow pilots, but in both cases the
accidents do not seem to be caused by the glider. One tow pilot lost
power on takeoff and spun in, the other lost control on takeoff and impacted
the ground. In both cases heads-up sailplane pilots saw trouble
developing and released. One fatality was the result of a tow-line
break at 300' and unsuccessful 180 landing attempt. It stalled and
spun in. One fatality was a landing accident with no apparent cause,
other than a toxicology report of substantial tetrahydrocannabinol.
Both the stowable engine and the ballistic chute in this aircraft were
stowed. Hate to be harsh, folks, but unless he was getting lift off of
a burning marijuanna crop and accidently inhaled it, this guy was an idiot.
Another landing stall rounds out the fatalities. Of the 21 non-fatal
accidents, no less than twelve were landing related. Five were
off airport landings, seven were at the home drome. Of those seven,
four were mismanaged energy (1 long / 3 short) and one was an overly courteous
glider pilot extending his downwind to allow the tow operation more time to
depart, but then landing short. Click this link to listen to part of
his post flight debrief. (NTSB
soundfile#1) In another on-airport landing accident, the glider
hit an obstacle (tree) near the landing surface. (?) The off airport
landings have a common theme - late decisions to land and poor choice of a
landing area. In case you didn't know, trees bite! One accident
was caused by weather closing in before the pilot could return to base.
Another was the result of a little "showboating." The pilot wanted to
show his passenger that he could do a low approach and then pull up, turn a
tight 360,
and land. He couldn't. He didn't make the runway, but he did
perform a nice cartwheel. (NTSB
Soundfile#2) The last two are for those who don't
believe in miracles. One was a landing accident where the tow pilot
landed behind and left of the glider, which was in position on the right
side of the runway. It then lost control and hit the glider. The
glider occupants were unhurt. Miracle. Finally, one pilot heard
a "bang" when his elevator control disconnected. He rode it down at a
30 degree angle and was UNINJURED. Miracle. When I
get a little time, I'll review some of these accident categories in a little
more depth, and offer suggestions to keep us out of the NTSB statistics.
Until then, keep your cranium out of the cockpit, keep your airspeed up, and
enjoy the ride, dawgs!
See you at the field!
Buster
|
 |
