Sunday Accident (long)

Post by **wesleycomerer** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:23 pm

Thank you for all the well-wishes, and to John Simon, who made quick effort
to get to the LZ to check me out, Cragin, who made my splint and captained
the rescue squad, Carlos, who made a tv-commercial-like drive (in his new
4Runner) to get me out, and MCav and Scott for your assistance.

My Condition: The fracture was worse than I expected -- right humerus broken
through in three places and significant displacement of and pressure on (no
tear of) the radial nerve -- though, despite significant displacement of
three sharp pieces of bone, no significant internal injury (whereby Sparky's
was much worse). Surgery included insertion of two screws and the post-op
X-Rays show a perfectly straight bone. I'm in a humerus fracture brace and,
to enable the nerve to heal, an OT-made splint for the lower arm and hand.

The Landing: I regret that it wasn't witnessed. The landing would have
certainly looked ridiculous, and I strongly suspect that the ultimate
breakdown was in my footwork, but I can't provide a clear account. I flared
late and level, it looked to me like a three-stride runout, but, with arms
up in flare, I think that I stumbled or slipped slightly at my first step,
not enough to eat it right there, rather I veered left (downhill) and
stumbled for another stride or two and then whacked. My wing is apparently
undamaged (I'll have it checked out) but I must've taken a hard impact to
the elbow (or something like that).

A controllable proximate factor -- the runout: Two months ago, having not
flown since our big-air Woodstock day on May 1, I went to Oregon Ridge to
get back in flying form and I was horrible. On that windless day I launched
well but I whacked horribly on multiple occasions, my first real whacks,
ever. I judged myself in poor form and retired early, quite demoralized.
After some serious thought, I realized that I was scared to slow down, to
round-out and slow to proper flare speed. When I landed in easy conditions
at Woodstock two weeks ago I executed a clean and level three-stride runout
and it occurred to me that I might have fearfully overcompensated, too
content to run out a landing even in conditions in which I should do better,
but I still remembered those bad whacks. This last Pulpit landing was more
difficult to set up, but I feel that I might have avoided a runout if I had
definitively intended to, as I feel that I should have. I must always be
ready and willing to run out a landing, but I fly an Eagle and I know when
to flare.

Another controllable proximate factor -- the setup: My DBF set me up too
high for my intended target, so I stretched the base leg a little and did
one s-turn and then I knew that I'd be safely in the field so I decided not
to maneuver anymore and I turned final knowing that I'd still go long, and I
ended up in a rougher patch of field. I think that I decided correctly not
to do more turns, but I'd at least feel less stupid if I had hurt myself at
my target, so I'll fly better setups from now on.

We had a big enough crew to tend to me. Anyone who was flying or setting up
instead of helping need not feel bad. We did a very good job of prudently
and methodically getting me clear, splinted, and moved. Thanks again.

Thanks to Daniel, Tom, John, and Sparky for calling, and to Shawn for
stopping by after hearing his good news.

Take Care.

--Wesley

dhenders · Post by **dhenders** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:50 pm

Check your keel. I had a similar accident a couple of weeks ago and thought the glider was fine. Sparky noticed the luff lines were a bit slack. We opened up the glider and saw the keel was snapped.

Post by **brianvh** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:53 pm

I guess the fact that you're posting means you're home, huh? Glad things went smoothly....well, I mean before and after you tripped.

So did the damage come from your arm hitting the ground or part of the glider? It seemed like pretty soft ground - scary that it could do that much damage.

But now you have some time to catch up on your drin...uh, I mean reading. Read any good manuals lately? Let us know if you still want some phone calls.

Cheers....

Post by **breezyk1d** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 2:58 pm

Wesley;

Glad to hear you are out of hospital and obviously capable of typing!
Your comments provide a lesson I take to heart as I am working on my
flare timing and approaches on my new glider. Your circumstances
emphasize that even with a good flare, hitting your target can make a
big difference.

Hope your recuperation is a fast one, and as comfortable as can be.
Best, Linda

Lauren Tjaden · Post by **Lauren Tjaden** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:59 pm

Wesely,
Paul and I are VERY glad to hear you have been successfully pieced back together! Keep us posted on your recovery, and heal quickly.
Lauren

brianvh <brianvanthull@yahoo.com> wrote:

I guess the fact that you're posting means you're home, huh? Glad things went smoothly....well, I mean before and after you tripped.

So did the damage come from your arm hitting the ground or part of the glider? It seemed like pretty soft ground - scary that it could do that much damage.

But now you have some time to catch up on your drin...uh, I mean reading. Read any good manuals lately? Let us know if you still want some phone calls.

Cheers....Brian Vant-Hull
301-646-1149

Yahoo! FareChase - Search multiple travel sites in one click.

Post by **hepcat1989** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 9:26 pm

Wesley, hang in there and enjoy- make the most of your time off.Man, i'm sure it sucks,but you will be
healing up each day.
Take care,
Shawn.

Post by **markc** » Thu Nov 03, 2005 10:30 pm

Hey Wesley, have the docs given you any idea about the amount
of time it will take for your arm to heal?

Will you set off metal detectors in airports for the rest of your life?

I sure hope that the healing is quick and uncomplicated!

Mark C.

PS: Wesley makes everything sound all ho-hum about his injury,
but he's one tough guy! After thinking things over and
deciding that he preferred his harness intact, we went into
splint-and-remove mode. There was no way to completely
avoid moving his arm.... But he was determined to make
it out, and didn't punch any of us with his good arm, in spite
of much provocation!

Post by **kcarra** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:04 am

Wesley,

I'm so sorry that we have to welcome you as the newest member of the broken humerus club. Last year I thought my arm would never heal (6 months total), but now it's hard to remember that it was even broken. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Post by **mcelrah** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 9:48 am

Is this a paraphrase of the adage about tailwheel pilots? There are two kinds: those who have ground-looped, and those who will...
- Hugh

>From: kcarra <karencarra@hotmail.com>
>Date: Fri Nov 04 07:04:46 CST 2005
>To: hg_forum@chgpa.org
>Subject: Sunday Accident (long)

>
>Wesley,
>
>I'm so sorry that we have to welcome you as the newest member of the broken humerus club. Last year I thought my arm would never heal (6 months total), but now it's hard to remember that it was even broken. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.Karen Carra

Paul Tjaden · Post by **Paul Tjaden** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 6:27 pm

Yes!!
?
Paul Tjaden (Broken Humerus Club Member)

Flying Lobster · Post by **Flying Lobster** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:06 am

Ditto, Marc (broken humerous club member)

PS not so funny

Holly · Post by **Holly** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 8:28 am

Wesley,

Scott told me abouit your accident earlier this week and this is the first opportunity I've had to get on the forum to send my well wishes.

It sounds like they were able to put your arm back together pretty well. Just do what your docs tell you and I'm sure you'll be back in the air in the spring.

Holly (member of the internal titanium club)

PS. My face doesn't set of airport metal detectors, so hopefully, your arm repairs won't either

Post by **hepcat1989** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:19 pm

Yes, member of the internal titanium club!
Shawn.

Post by **brianvh** » Mon Nov 07, 2005 3:46 pm

Oo! Oo! I'm a member of that club too - just barely (two small pins in a vertebrate). Should we form a new team at the next Pulpit fly-in? Ralph's already made the logo in honor of Holly....

Post by **hepcat1989** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 9:34 am

The I T C Metal Militia,Or The Titanium Air Corps, Or.............. I don't know, I'm game. Anyone talk to Wesley? I hope his pain is subsiding.

Post by **hepcat1989** » Tue Nov 08, 2005 10:48 am

Flying Foreign Parts...