Fatal Crash

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.
Post Reply
User avatar
Frederick
Posts: 104
Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 11:24 pm
Location: Altadena, CA

Fatal Crash

Post by Frederick »

At 3pm May 9th, the pilot was thermalling somewhere between 100-200ft above the top of Towers (AKA Contract Point). The pilot appears to initiate a right turn into lift when suddenly the glider begins go weightless and gets forced out of the right turn and rolled to the left. The left roll was strong enough for the glider to have flipped completely upside down, the pilot fell into the sail towards the back and left of the glider, at this point it appears that the left outboard leading edge section broke, evidence of stressed luff line clip and the manner in which leading edge broke indicate a strong negative loads. It is presumed that the broken wing would have induced a rapid spin until the pilot and glider struck the hillside with force causing fatal trauma.

A detailed report is being developed by the investigating team.

:.(.
User avatar
Steve90266
Posts: 488
Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:05 pm
Location: Manhattan Beach
Contact:

Fatal Crash

Post by Steve90266 »

Thank you for posting this, Frederick. It is indeed a sad thing and we all miss Markus very much. Your post here helps to give us some closure. It does not ease the pain and sadness, but at least helps us to understand.
Steve Murillo
User avatar
Frederick
Posts: 104
Joined: Tue May 17, 2005 11:24 pm
Location: Altadena, CA

Text of full report (email me for a copy with formatting)

Post by Frederick »

errors on submission

in the meantime, email me for a copy of the full report
User avatar
Ken Andrews
Site Admin
Posts: 215
Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2005 8:22 pm
Location: Pasadena

Markus crash report

Post by Ken Andrews »

The full report can be downloaded here: http://www.shga.com/uploads/CrashAnalysis.pdf
User avatar
Steve90266
Posts: 488
Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:05 pm
Location: Manhattan Beach
Contact:

Accident Report

Post by Steve90266 »

As tragic and sad as this accident was, we can all take away something that will make us better pilots. I commend the accident review team for putting together such a comprehensive and well written report. I found Juan's comments particularly helpful. Many thanks to all of you.
Steve Murillo
Post Reply