US Hawks Hang Gliding Association

One of our members had a good idea about having a forum dedicated to accident reports.

I've created a prototype for such a forum named "Accident Reports" in the US Hawks Hang Gliding Association forum. The prototype is intended to stimulate discussion about what we might want or not want in an accident reporting system.

Any thoughts?

I suggest that since we are a hang gliding only organization, that the accident reports be limited to hang glider accidents only.

Frank Colver

Good idea   Yes  

The Houston area Pilot that died at Quest Air last week was such a tragedy. Highly skilled, top of his form. Tug pilot, commercial airlines, etc, etc,

So far all I've heard was that it occurred on launch, low lock-out just after coming off the cart.

Hopefully, surely there's a video than can yield more evidence as to the actual cause.

My sorrow goes out to his family survivors.

Accident reports can be used, hopefully, to save others. They can also be used by fear mongers.

Personally, and as I was instructed, I want my release in a position where my hand does not need to turn loose of the bar to activate.

And even when foot launching, you don't want to miss your grip/transition when the forces of takeoff are on the glider. That's how I got my scars, not while towing.

Thanks for the forum, BobK

“We must have your help in recording
all prior fatal accidents all over the world.
We can no longer afford to have people guessing out loud
on how many fatalities there have been.”

“If we fail in our responsibility to establish
a reliable central data bank on hang glider accidents,
we are going to look like a happy-go-lucky band of daredevil adventurers
to some politician or judge and you may one day no longer be able to soar free as a bird,
regardless of what our true safety record may be.”

Robert V. Wills, First USHGA Accident Chairman
“Theories are cheap: Send us facts!”
Ground Skimmer, Jan 1975
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This is an area of concern and obligation that demands a web site.
A forum is not suitable.

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"Please try to be sensitive to the feelings of others."

So much for objective analysis...
This leads to "wait until the USHPA report is completed."
I recommend that facts simply be reported.
A huge problem with forums is that updates and corrections and linear re-arrangement to produce coherent lists are not possible.
Therefore attempts at linear data presentation on a forum are engineered to fail.
The US Hawks needs a website with a link to the forum.
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Accident reports can be used, hopefully, to save others. They can also be used by fear mongers.

Who are they?
People afraid of getting killed on hang gliders?
People who think too many people are getting killed on hang gliders?
People who think too many hang glider pilots are getting killed on tows?
Please clarify.

Misleading reports is what we have.
A simple camera at Torrey Pines Launch would help clear things Up.
One sided Reports by business lease owner/insurance holder's aren't working.
Proving the management, in house, self appointed, unqualified employees have failed.
A tyrant dictator that divides it members to conquer is failing by his own threat.

Who Voted for these people to Dominate our Sport

Outside, Neutral or even just fair oversight is badly needed,
Elected, term limits with Set discipline and documentation of recurring negligence. need to be in place.

~ The Legal Jargon ~ The Thorn in Our Sport ~

Rick Masters wrote:“Who are they?
Please clarify.

Probably some of each.


Also, there might be some flight park$ or instructor$ competing for $tudent$.


What Eagle said

For lieability reasons should the pilot that had the accident always be named ,"Accident Pilot?"
Also other names might be, "Attending Instructor," Wire Crew Person,"

For fatalities, use the name as released by the police department.
For injuries, use the name as released by the police department.
For rumors, don't use the name.
You may be confusing "liability" with "libel" or "slander."
That's not an issue in honest reporting.

Rick Masters wrote:A huge problem with forums is that updates and corrections and linear re-arrangement to produce coherent lists are not possible.
Therefore attempts at linear data presentation on a forum are engineered to fail.
The US Hawks needs a website with a link to the forum.

Yes on all counts.

I apologize that my own limitations on time and expertise have kept us confined to the forum so far. If you have a package that you think we should start using, please let me know. That could be part of this Accident Report topic or it could be part of a new "What's next for the US Hawks?" topic. Either place (or both), it's a discussion worth having.

Thanks Rick.

Bob

For injuries, use the name as released by the police department.

The police can be pushy getting names. (Obstruction threats, Show I.D. States, interfering with an investigation, etc.)
My concern for injuries:
And this comes first hand, not reporting the injury accident just to keep a name out of the HG flying community for different reasons.

Going nameless, I feel, will loosen the grip on information allowing people to learn from an incident.
We have to first be after a solution not a news scoop or a personal Gotcha.

I want nameless accident reports on the HG Forum. The name will be there through the police, if they have it, and people are willing to dig for it.
Firing off names may have the effect of shooting the reporting process in the foot.
My feelings -- but if enough feel the other way I'll vote against myself.