SAFA Skysailor Magazine

32 SKY SAILOR September | October 2023 AIRS Safety Wrap-up – August 2023 by Iain Clarke – SAFA Safety Management Officer Greetings fellow pilots. I have a rather large backlog of completed reports stretching back for a period of a few years. So, let’s devote this wrap-up to getting a load of those out of the way. #1107 – PG incident at Hickson St, Merewether, 31/7/2019, NSW PIC is an experienced hang glider pilot that has taken up paragliding. At the time of this accident, PIC was rated PG2, requiring them to fly under supervision. PIC decided to fly unsupervised from the Hickson Street launch (Newcastle, NSW), at a time when the conditions were not suited to PG operations – strong winds from the SW, which would have placed the launch in rotor. PIC launched, and at some point suffered a collapse, then applied brakes, stalling the wing. They impacted terrain in the bushes, proximate to the launch. The pilot was spotted from the air by a HG pilot who had arrived and flown some time after the accident. PIC suffered extensive injuries: five fractured ribs, fractured vertebrae in neck and back, fractured pelvis, collapsed and bleeding lung, concussion and abrasions. Supervised pilots must fly under supervision. Supervisors are better able to judge the weather conditions and determine if they are suitable for the supervised pilot. #1131 – PG accident Canungra 6/10/2019, Qld/S PIC was lining up to land their paraglider at Moriarty Park, Canungra (Qld/S). As they entered the park, a thermal released, slowing the pilot and adding some unwanted extra altitude. PIC commenced S-turns to lose al- titude, which then placed them in conflict with another pilot on approach to their right. PIC followed the other pilot in, but entered wind shadow from the tree line during their last 90-degree turn. PIC lost altitude rapidly and their feet dragged on the ground before the turn was completed, with one foot dragging, causing a fractured ankle. Pilots must get their undercarriage down early and be prepared to adopt the Parachute Landing Fall (PLF) position at short notice. These actions will give you time and space to deal with the unexpected. #1135 – Failed PG take off at Flinders Monument, Vic PIC was launching their paraglider at Flinders Monument (Vic). Their launch was not as positive as it should have been, and the pilot sat down in their harness too early. PIC and the wing ended up in the bushes 5m below launch. Pilots are reminded of the importance of a strong, committed launch technique, and to ensure positive flight is achieved before sitting in the harness. Be prepared to abort the launch if complete inflation and momentum is not attained. #1195 – Unplanned HG landing on hillside, NSW A supervised PIC was flying their hang glider in variable conditions at Lake George. On their second flight, they turned south off launch and flew along the ridge. Once feeling settled, the pilot commenced getting prone, but as they