SAFA Skysailor Magazine

33 September | October 2023 SKY SAILOR were already losing altitude, did not zip up the harness. At the end of the beat, PIC made a turn to the left to return northwards. They applied weight-shift to the right to exit the turn, but the glider did not appear to respond. They applied maximum weight-shift, the glider responded, but at this stage was close to, and pointed towards, the hill. The glider contacted trees and came to a stop. PIC suffered a bruised leg. A batten was destroyed and there was a rip in the wing fabric. Pilots are advised to make their turns away from the hill in such a manner as to leave sufficient clearance, both vertically and horizontally, from terrain and obstructions, and to deal with unexpected problems. #1229 – HG accident, arm fracture, NSW PIC was on approach with their hang glider in nil wind conditions into the western LZ at Mt Borah (NSW). It was their second flight on the final day of a three-day flying trip. PIC did not take the slope of the field into account and did not notice the rocky ground which, combined with an inadequate flare, led to the glider going nose first into the ground. A fractured arm resulted. Pilots are warned of the combined dangers of complacency and fatigue. These can lead to poor decision-making. #1269 – PG tree landing after low wing collapse, Qld/S PIC was undertaking a hike & fly from Bu- chanan’s Fort (Qld/S), on a high EN-B wing. High cloud was beginning to shut down thermal activity. PIC was scratching low on a ridge and losing altitude which prompted a turn towards the LZ. Whilst flying below the level of the spur leading to the LZ, the wing took a symmetric collapse which recovered, but resulted in a 270-degree change in di- rection and heading towards a tree. Being too low to turn away, a tree landing followed. The wing snagged in branches, leaving the pilot 12m above the ground. PIC remained in place and was rescued by friends with climbing gear. Whenever a tree landing occurs, stay in place and await assistance; do not attempt to climb down unaided. When scratching, always leave a safety margin to allow for the unexpected, in this case a collapse. Photos: Courtesy Roger Turner