Another SoCal Tumble

Please tell what happened and how it might have been avoided. Names should be ommitted. This forum should help others learn from mistakes that caused or nearly caused a mishap.
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frosty
Posts: 50
Joined: Sat Sep 01, 2007 10:51 am
Location: Look Down

Another SoCal Tumble

Post by frosty »

last week at Marshall.

Rob McKenzie's accident report:

9-4-07 3:45PM. Intermediate local HG pilot encounter turbulence and glider tucks to inverted attitude at only 100' agl. Leading edge fails, glider enters inverted spin, pilot tosses chute, which gets bridle, line and chute extension just at time of impact. Simply too low for a complete inflation of the reserve. Landing is inverted with moderately slow rate of descent due to strong upslope winds, plus being inverted, pilot has fall cushioned by the glider, and pilot walks away with barely a scratch.

Location and conditions are prime in this incident. Winds were strong at 20+ mph at Marshall and crossing from the W or WNW. The ridge at the incident location is in the lee of the Marshall ridge and very susceptible to turbulence even in light winds and can be severe in strong winds.
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