Two Dead at Torrey - Paragliding Collision (March 9, 2019)

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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Bob Kuczewski
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Two Dead at Torrey - Paragliding Collision (March 9, 2019)

Post by Bob Kuczewski »

Two PG pilots died at Torrey today in a mid-air collision:

http://ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3434

Always maintain a safe distance between terrain and other pilots.
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Steve90266
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Re: Two Dead at Torrey - Paragliding Collision (March 9, 2019)

Post by Steve90266 »

Very sad news. Both pilots were "experienced". P4 and P3. Lesson emphasized. Keep your head on a swivel, ESPECIALLY when ridge soaring with multiple pilots, but always, always, always assume somebody is looking in the wrong direction and coming to take you out.
Steve Murillo
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Bob Kuczewski
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Re: Two Dead at Torrey - Paragliding Collision (March 9, 2019)

Post by Bob Kuczewski »

Steve90266 wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2019 9:43 am Both pilots were "experienced". P4 and P3.
Where did you find that they were P4 and P3?
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Re: Two Dead at Torrey - Paragliding Collision (March 9, 2019)

Post by Bob Kuczewski »

The names have been released ...
LA JOLLA, Calif. (KGTV) — The San Diego County Medical Examiner released the identities of the two men who died in yesterday's paragliding accident.

Glenn Johnny Peter Bengtsson, Carlsbad (43)
Raul Gonzalez Valerio, Laguna Hills (61)
... but not their USHPA ratings or training status.

Can anyone confirm the "P4 and P3" ratings?
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Re: Two Dead at Torrey - Paragliding Collision (March 9, 2019)

Post by JD »

Bob Kuczewski wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2019 11:25 pm The names have been released ...
LA JOLLA, Calif. (KGTV) — The San Diego County Medical Examiner released the identities of the two men who died in yesterday's paragliding accident.

Glenn Johnny Peter Bengtsson, Carlsbad (43)
Raul Gonzalez Valerio, Laguna Hills (61)
... but not their USHPA ratings or training status.

Can anyone confirm the "P4 and P3" ratings?

They were P3 and P0. I have the information from pilots who knew them.

Eyewitness account: http://www.crestlinesoaring.org/node/2694

Bob,
I regret that you were unable to effect positive change at Torrey. I know that you put everything you had into making it a safer flying site.
Sadly, our national organization has its priorities up some dark hole in all its opacity.
Keep doing your best!
JD
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Re: Two Dead at Torrey - Paragliding Collision (March 9, 2019)

Post by Bob Kuczewski »

Steve90266 wrote: Sun Mar 10, 2019 9:43 am Both pilots were "experienced". P4 and P3.
JD wrote: Mon Mar 11, 2019 9:52 amThey were P3 and P0. I have the information from pilots who knew them.
From PG Forum - P3 and P1??
pgf_report.png
pgf_report.png (163.98 KiB) Viewed 7963 times

I called USHPA Monday morning to ask for the pilot ratings directly. I spoke to Erika. USHPA had already scrubbed their database of that information, but Erika didn't know it. Erika said it was "weird" that the pilot showed up as a member, but there was no other information. Maybe she hasn't been briefed yet on the USHPA "cover up" policy.

Two dead pilots and so far there have been 3 different guesses as to their ratings.
It's shameful what these sports have tolerated from USHPA.

Read more at: https://ushawks.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3434
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Re: Two Dead at Torrey - Paragliding Collision (March 9, 2019)

Post by Bob Kuczewski »

Alan? ... Ken? ... Lawrence? ... Erika?

What were the ratings of the two dead paraglider pilots at Torrey Pines?
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Re: Two Dead at Torrey - Paragliding Collision (March 9, 2019)

Post by Bob Kuczewski »

Self regulation by USHPA?
Accident reporting by USHPA?
Accident investigations by USHPA?

USHPA is already treating the dead pilot's ratings like state secrets. What does that say about USHPA's ability to provide any "self regulation"?

Alan? ... Ken? ... Lawrence? ... Erika?

What were the ratings of the two dead paraglider pilots at Torrey Pines?
Join a National Hang Gliding Organization: US Hawks at ushawks.org
View my rating at: USHGRS
Every human at every point in history has an opportunity to choose courage over cowardice. Look around and you'll find that opportunity in your own time.
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