timdom
http://www.hanggliding.org/viewtopic.php?t=34440&sid=cfd12334352f16d4dc61896e6c85fc7aJoined: 07 Jul 2015
Posts: 3
Location: Olympia, Wa
PostPosted: Wed Jun 08, 2016 9:06 am Post subject: Dog Mountain crash report Sunday June 5, 2:00pm (John was no Reply with quote #1
Glider was an Easy Riser I believe the pilots name is John from Oregon.
The wind conditions where south west – south around 12 to 15 miles.
The south component at Dog does create a bit of a hole at takeoff. Strong south not good.
This was John’s first flight at Dog in the Easy Riser. He was not with any local Hang Glider pilots.
With the south wind component I believe we would have discouraged him from taking off even though the condition where pretty good. But not perfect for a test flight of an older wing.
I did not see the failed launch as I arrived to find him in the top of a dead tree just to the right of takeoff.
John was fine and trying to get his glider out of the tree. The glider was surprisingly not too damaged.
Deciding not to fly, I offered my services as the driver so I had flip flops on and was unable to help John and the guys as much as I would have liked. I felt really bad, but with the help of other pilots we were able to get John and his gear back up the hill.
A para pilot witnessed the launch and I listened in on what he told John. I later spoke to John about what he believe went wrong.
Here is what I can relate. John had a good launch as he was coming out of the hole created by the south wind over the trees left of launch. The glider turned to the left as John successfully got one leg in the cage which moves his weight back. While trying to get his other leg into the cage he stated that he made the correction to the left turn by adding right rudder. The para pilot stated that the glider turned left as he was coming up out of the hole turned high bank to the right and crash. I asked John if he feels like he stalled the glider at the same time as the right rudder correction which would have resulted in a sharp break to the right. John stated that he had plenty of air speed which made the rudder respond more quickly causing the sharp right turn.
Lessons learned
Don’t wear flip flops!
P.S. sorry if his name is not John?
[/img]