Lessons Learnt - Hang Gliding Accidents/Incidents

Starting a new string to record lessons learnt from recent hang-gliding accidents in the Auckland region, in the hope that others will avoid the pitfalls that accident pilot's experienced. This is not intended to take the place of in-depth accident reports/analysis. Feel free to add, correct, criticise, discuss. Please keep accident pilot names off here for privacy reasons.

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Accident 1: Pilot launched from Moirs Hill. Fresh wind was coming from the left of launch. Pilot had launch assistance, but left wing got lifted when he ran off, turning the glider 360 degrees, with impact in the rotor zone behind launch.

Lessons Learnt:

a. Ensure the glider is in clear airflow if launching in a left cross-wind at Moirs. According to Paddy M., other pilot's have been bitten by this in the past. Don't try to muscle the glider into the air is it does not feel right, as the glider will soon hit the vertical airflow and lift an unlevel wing.

b. Flying with friends can be a lifesaver.

c. Good casualty management in not moving the pilot avoided aggravating a spinal injury. Well done.

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Accident 2: Novice Pilot, scratching close to hill in barely soarable conditions at Kariotahi, stalled glider and ended up downwind in a gully, impacting hard ground at speed.

Lessons Learnt:

a. Not saying that it wasn't one carried out in this case, but Novice pilots to have a definite flight plan, with them repeating it back to a senior pilot on launch. This would include such things as  which way they will turn after launch, how soon to make that turn, how far out from the hill to be trying to soar and actions to take when falling out of the lift-band e.g. setting up landing approach, rather than try to eke out the flight to the last. Novice pilots listen to your senior pilot's and do as they advise.

b. Radio contact by senior pilot with new novice pilots may be a good safety measure.

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Accident 3: Novice pilot attempted top-landing in fresh conditions at Dills Hill. Ended up slightly in the lee of the hill and getting dumped hard in to ground.

Lessons Learnt:

a. Top landing in fresh conditions at Dills Hill should not be taken for granted. It needs a high degree of judgement that is beyond the level of the average novice pilot. An experienced pilot a few years ago broke both wrists top-landing at Dills.

b. Again, radio communication may have been beneficial.

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Accident 4: Pilot landed in surf at Maori Bay, came close to drowning. Hook Knife broke in attempt to cut himself free.

Lessons Learnt:

a. Respect the surf. The sea is very powerful even in the shallows. Ensure that there is adequate beach to land on if you don't soar as expected. Better in hindsight to do a hillside landing, even on rocks, than take your chances in the surf.

b. Plastic deteriorates in u.v. light over time. Check all of you gear regularly, including your hook-knife.

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Incident 1:Misrigged glider. Nut not fitted on bottom A-Frame bolt. Luckily pilot elected not to launch due to poor take-off conditions.

Lessons Learnt:

a. It is our lives on the line. Avoid distraction when rigging. Carry out a thorough pre-flight inspection every time.

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