Another bad day in a very bad year.

Yesterday was a tragic day in a year filled with bad accidents. Andrea was part of very keen group of new pilots this year. He took his first beginner class this spring. They were out flying every chance they could. They would travel to Innisfail to scooter tow with Kevin on his farm. Kevin was also out at the ridge with Andrea and Leif.

Leif was helping Kevin and Andrea off the ridge to try and get their first soaring flights. Leif said conditions were very good and he had no hesitation sending them off. Kevin was off first and sunk out. Andrea was off second and managed to stay up. After he had been soaring for a bit Leif suited up and took to the air. He headed further down the ridge to give Andrea plenty of room. He said soaring conditions at the time were excellent. After flying for about 20 minutes he dragged a wing tip on top of the ridge and spun into a pile of rocks. (Farmers pick rocks off the fields every year and pile them on their property; it was this pile he hit) Leif was unsure if he was trying to land. He died on impact. The glider has almost no damage.

Some of my thoughts and feelings about the accident. Hang gliding is difficult and time consuming to learn. Therefore only the truly passionate tend to stick with it. Andrea was one of these dedicated souls. As a group desperate to fly most of us tend push beyond the limits of our skill. As instructors we hold students back. Trying to keep them with in their limits and safe. Andrea did take advice he was given, not every one does. He had done his first truck tows a couple weeks ago, over 2000'. He was competent enough to control his glider. As much as we hold students back they have to progress at some point.

Air time means far less than currency. I think this applies to all of us. Andrea had been out lots this year with his keen group of new friends. Given this fact it is much more reasonable to send pilots off ridge soaring than another pilot with the same air time who has not flown for several months. They had Leif come out with them. He is the most experienced pilot on that ridge and you couldn't ask for a better mentor. It is important to have an experienced pilot help new pilots with evaluating weather conditions and advice on the hazards and how to fly the site.

While I think the accident was pilot error I think he was very unlucky. I think most of us have made bad choices and gotten lucky waking away with a broken down tube. I had my worst accident in Cochrane. I had over 100hrs at the time. I was low and worried about sinking out. I flew straight down wind thinking I would get lift over the ridge. I didn't and now was low going down wind. I tried to turn flat as I didn't want to drag a wing tip. I didn't get around into the wind and hit the ground hard. I broke both down tubes and a batten. I was pretty much uninjured other than a couple bruises. Most of the time the glider will take a lot of the impact and the pilot will sustain little injury. I've seen pilots hit very hard and walk away uninjured. I've seen landing that didn't look that bad and the pilot ends up with broken bones.

As with any fatality it is very hard on those left behind. As hang glider pilots we share a very special bond. It is always very difficult to lose one of our own. I think it is even harder on our families as they often don't understand the deep emotions we have related to flying. We ask them to just accept our passion. My heart goes out to Kevin and Leif having to have lived this tragedy. I also feel for Kevin’s wife and kids. I don't want to see Kevin give up flying but know it will be hard for his family if he doesn’t. Our season is over now and we will have the winter to absorb this tragedy. Time heals all.