Vegas HG Accident

[brianvh]

Tad cares.

(no clue why it arises any passion in him, though).

[Spark]

IMO the real topic of this bifurcated / twisted thread is that my buddy screwed up, got hurt bad and is permanently disabled. Not only did he screw up, but he didn't have a knowlegable/responsible flying buddy looking over his shoulder to help him out. Kinda like self-launching or flying alone ... one little thing becomes a life-changing event.

My big take-home lesson is that we need backups for our backups, 'cause we will all eventually screw up ... more than once.

The other related one is ... we can and should be 'backups' for each other. It can make a big difference.

'nuf said.

[jimrooney]

Yup.
Couple universal truths I learned in the hospital bed...

You will screw up.
You will not save yourself.
If anyone saves you, it will be your friends.

I find it disheartening how the general opinion is contrary to this. No one believes it will happen to them. And they rely on themselves to prevent things from happening.

It is the way of things though.
Jim

[markc]

Some of our forum members might not know that there are several
articles related to hooking-in, in the Educational Topics section of the
website. They are mostly concerned with outright hook-in failure, as
opposed to the utility of backups, 'magician's knot', etc.

This article in particular might be worth a look:

http://www.chgpa.org/Education/hookin.tips.html

The last sentence echoes Jim's sentiment:

You may be able to avoid being that someone by adopting several of the techniques described here, by flying with watchful friends, and by paying attention to your mental state as you prepare to fly.

MarkC

[Flying Lobster]

I also like to point out my failure to hook-in as a perfect example of how easily this kind of accident can happen. It can be found at http://www.chgpa.org/Education/hookin.accident.html . It appears that there's been some editing done--there were actually dozens of pilots and spectators there that day.

marc

[markc]

Actually, the text on that page is verbatim from the original post, with
only the stuff at the very top added, for context.

If you'd like to update the report in any way, just PM me with the details
Marc.

Cheers,

MarkC

[Tad Eareckson]

Mark,

There are, however, a couple of related errors in the Educational Resources section on the topic.

Bob's accident actually occurred on 1998/01/10 (rather than the previous month). The spread between that and the next one thus drops to about 3.6 months from the stated under five.

[theflyingdude]

I also like to point out my failure to hook-in as a perfect example of how easily this kind of accident can happen. It can be found at http://www.chgpa.org/Education/hookin.accident.html . It appears that there's been some editing done--there were actually dozens of pilots and spectators there that day.

marc

Actually, I don't remember there being "dozens" of pilots and spectators there that day. Maybe a dozen if you count the dogs. I was on launch behind Panties-dude and because he had his glider resting on the keel, I couldn't see whether he was actually hooked into the glider as we waited for a launch-able cycle. When a puff of wind started up the slot, he picked the glider up and launched. And he literally did an end-over-end in his harness as the glider flew away without him. The glider (sans pilot) had the FOTD getting above launch briefly before banking left and going into the trees.

JR

[Flying Lobster]

OK--only a few pilots and spectators were there (totally irrelevant--but if that makes you happy...)

marc