Accidental Deployment

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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Jim
Posts: 289
Joined: Fri Apr 09, 2010 5:08 pm

Accidental Deployment

Post by Jim »

The pilot experiencing an accidental deployment of a reserve 'chute on Saturday may choose to post details but for those who are wondering...

A pilot reported on the radio that a glider was under canopy to the east of Trash. The glider reportedly impacted on the steep slope on the east face. No one could confirm movement. LACoFD Rescue was called from the LZ. Thirty minutes later, a helicopter responded. Almost all pilots had landed in anticipation of the rescue operation. The fire crew retireved the pilot and flew off in the direction of Whiteman Airport. The group present in the LZ was eventually informed that the pilot was fine (applause and sighs of relief!) and SHGA members picked up and returned the pilot to the LZ.

At the LZ, the pilot reported hearing a 'pop' and reached back to find the parachute case had opened. Unable to contain the deployment bag, the 'chute dropped out and deployed. The glider impacted in a very steep section that the pilot, after struggling to exit the harness, felt was too dangerous to try to climb up or down. The pilot reported waving at pilots in the air above but, apparently, no one was close enough to see.

The glider sustained damage against rocky terrain from the helicopter wash and remains on the mountain at this writing.

And I was already thinking it's time for a repack.
There are two kinds of people in the world: the quick and the dead.
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