SAFA SkySailor Magazine

30 SKY SAILOR March | April 2024 AIRS Safety Wrap-up – February 2024 by Iain Clarke – SAFA Safety Management Officer Greetings fellow pilots. We’ll start off with this month’s AIRS wrap-up in the Northern Territory. #1547 – Paragliding crash, NT PIC was flying their paraglider from Ceilidh Hill, near Burt Plain, approximately 84km WNW of Alice Springs (NT). PIC had planned a long XC flight for the day with good conditions and winds E to NE forecast. After launching in windy conditions, they have managed to reach 6,000ft AMSL, and started to push towards Mt. Hay. PIC arrived low over the hills east of Mt. Hay, landed at the foot, walked up, relaunched, and made it to 4,000ft AMSL. Unable to maintain this, PIC was sinking, and not able to make it over a small ridge, impacting terrain. They assessed their condition and realised they had sustained a fractured femur. PIC used their InReach satellite tracker and messaging device to contact their partner and hit the SOS button at 4pm. The helicopter reached them at 6:30pm. Pilots conducting flight operations in remote and hostile locations are urged to carry adequate supplies of water, food, a PLB and a satellite messaging device. The PLB has a direct line of communication to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the agency tasked with SAR coordination in Australia. In a hostile environment, time is of the essence, and a PLB distress signal will be responded to quicker than a satellite messaging service. An hour’s difference in central Australia in summer, or an alpine environment in winter, can make the difference between life and death. Now over to Western Australia. #1760 – PG water landing, Sandpatch, WA A pilot flying their paraglider at Sandpatch (WA) was caught out by a change in wind direction and strength. PIC landed in the sea and was able, just, to self-rescue. Their two companions were also caught out by the wind change but managed to reach land. One selflessly went to their companion’s aid and was swept out to sea themselves, but was rescued. The other landed in scrub and raised the alarm. An ocean landing for PG or HG pilots alike is life threatening. Survival is generally considered unlikely. All pilots are reminded to monitor for a change of conditions and ensure they are able to make a safe landing should these circumstances occur. This site is notorious for sudden wind shifts and changeable conditions. #1726 – PG wing collapse resulting in fall to ground from 4-5m, WA PIC was flying their paraglider at Yallingup (WA), a coastal site. There were rain squalls in the vicinity of the site, and possible pre-frontal conditions prevailed. They pulled big ears over the ridge to lose height, when the wing collapsed and the pilot fell to the ground from 4-5m AGL, sustaining a sprained neck, lower back pain and facial lacerations. The wing involved is an EN-C, seven years old, and from the description of how it flew, could well use a porosity and line check. PIC has been advised not to fly this wing until