SAFA Skysailor Magazine

68 SKY SAILOR September-October-November | SPRING 2026 found to be significantly out of balance. The PIC attempted to top land whilst a number of gliders were traversing on the windward side of launch/landing area. The combination of wake turbulence and an out of trim high-performance glider caused the glider to stall. PIC sustained injury, resulting in transport by ambulance to local hospital. All gliders should be regularly inspected for airworthiness, and trim should be checked periodically. Higher performance gliders have a higher demand for tuning and may, if out of trim, have a higher tendency to stall. Wake turbulence is always a factor when landing, particularly in congested airspace. Landing with clear space to windward is considered optimal. #1671 – PPG prop strike to elbow, WA A PPG pilot was running up their recently acquired four-stroke power plant. It had been ground started, was running at 2000rpm and was only secured by the pilot holding the frame. The pilot went to move the power plant by the frame crossbar and as they did so, the frame top section came apart at the internal attachment points to the main frame. The torque of the running motor twisted the unit towards the pilot. The direct drive propeller impacted the frame section first and then the pilot’s left elbow, resulting in elbow lacerations, broken ulna, severed ulna nerve, dislocated radius, shattering the lower humerus and loss of 2l blood. Only run a power plant either on your back or when it is secured firmly to an anchored frame or point. Never move a running power plant by hand – stop it, and then move it. AIRS Safety Wrap-up – Spring 2026