http://ahga.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2 ... 6dd3ac5e61
August 31, 2008
Arizona Hang Glider Association
Announcement:
A hang gliding accident occurred yesterday, August 30, on Mingus Mountain, near Prescott, that resulted in the death of Kunio Yoshimura of Phoenix.
The incident happened at approximately 1:30pm, when Yoshimuro launched his hang glider from the mountain without first attaching his harness to the glider. The pilot grabbed the glider’s control bar and attempted to pull himself up onto it, but he was unable to gain control and the glider dove approximately 1,000 feet down the slope of the mountain. Yoshimura threw his parachute and let go of the glider before it impacted the hillside, but he was too low and the parachute failed to arrest his descent.
Pilots on launch called 911 to advise of the impact, while others scrambled down the hill to administer aid. More pilots, who had landed in the Cottonwood area and were monitoring the incident via radio, rushed to the impact site to assist. They were joined by personnel in an ambulance and a Cottonwood Fire Department vehicle. They bushwhacked through the thick brush on the hillside while a Department of Public Safety helicopter circled overhead. Upon reaching the pilot, CPR was administered, but the downed pilot could not be revived and emergency personnel subsequently pronounced him dead.
Mr. Yoshimura was an experienced pilot who was participating in the annual Mingus Fly-In, a three day event hosted by the Arizona Hang Glider Association. He was a resident of Phoenix and is survived by his wife, Karina, and children.
All questions regarding this incident should be directed to Hal Hayden, the Mingus Site Monitor for the AGHA, in Prescott at (928) 710-7701.