Failure to hook in 6/29/12

jonesy · Post by **jonesy** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 7:51 pm

I attempted to launch unhooked from the Towers today. With in a couple of steps the base bar was at my chest and I had that "Oh s&%t!" feeling, my weight below the base bar pulled the glider back down and I crashed into the bushes 50-60ft below launch. I've spent a few hours trying to pin point the exact break down or distraction which allowed to me to walk up to launch unhooked (which I typically don't do) and have concluded that all it takes is the slightest deviation from a routine to put one in that position. I usually check again on launch, but also failed to do so. I was very lucky to come away from this incident with a few scrapes and bruises and no obvious damage to my glider. I honestly thought that I had my launch regiment dialed in and that I would never do this. Another example of how vigilant and aware we all need to be about hooking in. You seriously cannot check too many times!

skygeek AKA Seabass · Fri Jun 29, 2012 11:43 pm

Very glad your OK

Post by **Chip** » Sun Jul 01, 2012 11:59 am

Same here (happy to hear you are OK). Was in disbelief when I heard about it Saturday on kagel launch.

jonesy · Post by **jonesy** » Mon Jul 02, 2012 12:54 pm

Still in disbelief that my dumb ass actually did it!

JD · Post by JD » Mon Jul 02, 2012 3:36 pm

jonesy wrote:Still in disbelief that my dumb ass actually did it!

I'm giving you my Whack Award that Phill 'Unhooked @ Towers' Bloom awarded me at the Spring Air. The fact that you and Phill both managed to survive launching unhooked with that steep hillside without having to glide away in a dive then reach for your reserve handles is amazing.

I hope you work out a system that keeps this from ever happening again. If you come up w/ something novel that works please share it. I use the walk-through and 'reach back and feel' techniques but neither one is idiot-proof.