Failure to hook in
Failure to hook in
Yesterday I launched unhooked from the Kagel launch. I fared much better than the glider did with only a bruised left hand and wrist. I don't think anything is broken but I might get an x-ray if the swelling and bruising gets worse. The glider, although repairable, is trashed with a broken leading edge and keel along with lots of other smaller damage. I consider it "spare parts" for the new one I ordered a few hours after its demise.
My routine is to hook in before going to launch and then check my hook in by turning around and looking at it or asking a wire person to check for me. In this case I didn't do either one; my head was thinking beyond launch, taking it completely for granted. Bottom line is that no flight should be treated as "routine" and that a hook in check of some sort should be taken seriously each and every time you fly. Complacency is the root cause of this accident and I only hope that others will learn from my expensive lesson.
My routine is to hook in before going to launch and then check my hook in by turning around and looking at it or asking a wire person to check for me. In this case I didn't do either one; my head was thinking beyond launch, taking it completely for granted. Bottom line is that no flight should be treated as "routine" and that a hook in check of some sort should be taken seriously each and every time you fly. Complacency is the root cause of this accident and I only hope that others will learn from my expensive lesson.
- Steve90266
- Posts: 488
- Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:05 pm
- Location: Manhattan Beach
- Contact:
Failure to hook in
Rob, first off, very glad you are OK.
Secondly, thanks for posting this. This highlights the fact that a failure to hook in can happen to ANY ONE OF US, if we do not consciously perform that task each and every time.
Personally, I vow to re-double my efforts and make sure I perform a "Hook In!" check each and every time, no matter the circumstances.
Again, glad you are OK. See you at the Pool Party!
Secondly, thanks for posting this. This highlights the fact that a failure to hook in can happen to ANY ONE OF US, if we do not consciously perform that task each and every time.
Personally, I vow to re-double my efforts and make sure I perform a "Hook In!" check each and every time, no matter the circumstances.
Again, glad you are OK. See you at the Pool Party!
Steve Murillo
- gregangsten
- Posts: 502
- Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2005 11:22 am
- Location: Westchester
hook in
Wow, you are beating yourself up lately. Very sorry about the glider but we all know how much worse it could have been.
Even though it just starts an argument, I'm going to say it anyway. Hook the harness in in setup and then check it in preflight. Then NEVER unhook from the glider with your harness on. It won't prevent forgetting leg loops but it will prevent this.
Even though it just starts an argument, I'm going to say it anyway. Hook the harness in in setup and then check it in preflight. Then NEVER unhook from the glider with your harness on. It won't prevent forgetting leg loops but it will prevent this.
In a strong wind launch, my (frowned upon) technique is to leap into the air on the second step while pushing out. I call this my "superman" launch and I have done it my whole flying career when the wind is above 15-20. In this case the glider just pulled itself out of my hands as I pushed out and I fell back onto the ramp before reaching the end. The pulling away from me was so strong that there was no doubt what the issue was a no decision to make. I fell back to earth before the end of the ramp and the loose dirt provided a soft impact that caused no additional damage to my still healing left foot. However my forward motion took me over the edge and I went over head first. This is where I sustained the injury to my left hand and wrist, which although still swollen, is much improved this morning. There are marks on my helmet and I also found a slight bruise on my right thigh. Otherwise the only additional injuries were to my pride and my bank account.
I was concerned about where the hell the glider was (maybe still flying?) so I stood up and looked around right away, but saw nothing. I had to be shown where the glider ended up. I only wish I could have seen it plow in. It seems to me that I deserved that much satisfaction for the entertainment that I provided. But no, I didn't get to see it; and surprisingly even Jonathon has no video to show me...
I was concerned about where the hell the glider was (maybe still flying?) so I stood up and looked around right away, but saw nothing. I had to be shown where the glider ended up. I only wish I could have seen it plow in. It seems to me that I deserved that much satisfaction for the entertainment that I provided. But no, I didn't get to see it; and surprisingly even Jonathon has no video to show me...
Yes that makes me very sad. Had I left the camera to record stills while struggling at the end of the ridge I would have surely caught your glider in free flight. What I saw from a 1/4 mile away was Rob having a great launch with his glider immediately climbing out. Then I saw Rob make this magnificent swoop back at the hillside with his glider's shadow rapidly approaching the glider. Then I shuddered as I saw Rob and his glider pile in below the PG ramp and then turtle. I then assumed it had actually been another blown launch from the reconfigured ramp and the glider was really in a mush the whole time.BudRob wrote:....and surprisingly even Jonathon has no video to show me...
I didn't learn until five minutes later (from Jim) what had happened. It's funny how things appear one way and then you watch the video and find out it was nothing like your memory told you.
Rob,
I am glad you are O.K.
It is my belief you were saved from perishment, as well as many others in the past, by San Cupertino Patron Saint of Flight that inhabits Mount Kagel.
- an example from my X-files:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpmpI180kUQ (deactivated)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2O8WmVlOUk (works 8/28/13)
Levitation Time Sequences
1:05:47
1:14:34
1:22:08
1:40:47 (test lifting capability)
Doug
I am glad you are O.K.
It is my belief you were saved from perishment, as well as many others in the past, by San Cupertino Patron Saint of Flight that inhabits Mount Kagel.
- an example from my X-files:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpmpI180kUQ (deactivated)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2O8WmVlOUk (works 8/28/13)
Levitation Time Sequences
1:05:47
1:14:34
1:22:08
1:40:47 (test lifting capability)
Doug
Last edited by dhmartens on Wed Aug 28, 2013 8:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Mike Blankenhorn
- Posts: 157
- Joined: Wed Nov 19, 2008 9:33 am
- Location: North Hollywood
This is obviously the only logical explanation, well done Doug!dhmartens wrote: It is my belief you were saved from perishment, as well as many others in the past, by San Cupertino Patron Saint of Flight that inhabits Mount Kagel.
Oh yeah, and well done Rob for not dying on us!
Take Care,
Mike Blankenhorn
Mike Blankenhorn