SAFA Skysailor Magazine

36 SKY SAILOR July | August 2024 and others to notify intentions to land and outcome of the landing. #1459 – HG accident Macalister, Icaro Orbiter, Qld/S PIC was flying their hang glider at MacAlister after a tow launch from Dalby (Qld/S). It was a 30°C day with light winds and strong thermic conditions. They decided to land, having been shaken by being tipped near vertical at 1,000ft AGL when they encountered a very rough thermal. PIC set up for landing, with minimal indicators available to determine the wind direction, the paddock being covered with sorghum stubble. They approached with VG off, and rounded out with speed to take ad- vantage of the ground effect, but were caught by surprise as the glider did not experience ground effect as expected, but rather con- tinued downward into the soft damp earth. PIC did not react quickly enough to push out fully and still had their hands on the uprights as the basebar struck the ground. Their body swung through the A-frame, causing their right wrist to dislocate. Surgery was required to reattach various ligaments. If there are few wind indicators, if possible, when still at several hundred feet AGL, conduct at least one wide flat 360-degree turn to assist identifying wind drift direction. #1498 – HG basebar wheel in armpit, Qld/S PIC was landing their hang glider at Dalby (Qld/S). They flared with too much speed before the fence, climbed high and fell over after touchdown. They had a basebar wheel lodged in an armpit, resulting in a torn rotator cuff. Ensure the selected landing area has sufficient distance to wash off/round out speed prior to flare. The position of basebar wheels should be as far outboard as possible without compromising their effectiveness. Off to Victoria… #1415 – Heavy HG landing, Corryong Cup, Vic PIC was flying their hang glider in compe- tition at Corryong (Vic). After scratching a low thermal for 15-20 minutes at around 300ft AGL, they noticed another pilot land in a nearby paddock; the glider remained stationary for some time after landing. They decided to land in case the pilot needed assistance. The selected landing paddock had a slight uphill grade. After flying the downwind leg of the landing approach on the west side of the road, they crossed the road on base leg and turned into the paddock on final. After rounding out and bleeding off speed, it became apparent that they were experiencing tailwind, thermic draft drawing up the hill. They were able to manage approximately four steps before the glider got in front of them. When the basebar hit the ground, PIC swung through the control frame and caught their right elbow on the downtube, and their face made contact with the front flying wire. The glider then flipped in a forward motion upside down. PIC suffered a lacerated nose and lip. They attended a medical clinic days later and discovered they had fractured an arm. Whenever landing out, especially during competitions when others may be checking you have landed safely, always move the glider to the edge of the landing area and/or vacate and AIRS Safety Wrap-up