Topic title: "Failed Aero"
http://www.crestlinesoaring.org/node/2638
Advanced rated PG flying smooth sunset conditions at Crestline, impacts terrain during an acrobatic maneuver. Windy conditions and darkness impede the rescue efforts and responders were unable to reach the pilot until approximately 6 hours after the event. The pilot was found deceased when they arrived and the body recovered the following day by San Bernardino County Search and Rescue teams. Acrobatic endeavors push the envelope of safety to its extreme. Performing such maneuvers with minimal ground clearance reduces or even eliminates the possibility of chute deployment or recovery and place severe injury or death high on the list of probable outcomes. Theoretical? No. FACT.
This type of flying has become more common at Crestline ridge and we will no doubt be having this conversation again. The only question is, when.
Choosing when, where, and how you fly, is a lesson taught within the first days of training. Most accidents can be traced back to failures of the fundamentals taught those first few days. Choose wisely please. The God of statistics is paid regardless of all else and your choices determine if you will be the barter of the day. It is a very sad thing, this is.