Safety & Incident Management Update

1. Incident Reports & Tracking System

  • Digital Incident Reporting: The Board has fully integrated a digital submission and tracking workflow for site incidents. Members involved in or witnessing an incident can submit details via the online CSS Incident Report Form.
  • Transparent Record-Keeping: All submitted incident reports auto-populate into a centralized document accessible for board review.

2. Recent Site Incident Summaries

  • June 14 – Paraglider Reserve/Downed Aircraft (Regionals Area)
    • Summary: A paraglider went down behind Regionals. Board members made initial radio contact on 144.120, confirming the pilot was uninjured.
    • Emergency Response: San Bernardino Sheriff and Search & Rescue helicopter crews responded and retrieved both the pilot and his equipment safely. The standard white “X” was displayed at the field and radio announcements were broadcast across active frequencies during the aerial operation.
    • Follow-Up: To maintain site compliance and safety protocols, the Board worked directly with the pilot to complete the required safety documentation and ensure all club membership and USHPA rating requirements were fully up to date prior to resuming flight activities. 
  • July 20 – Tree/Bush Landing & SAR Response (Crestline)
    • Summary: A student pilot landed in the brush near Crestline while soaring close to the ridge. The pilot was uninjured, but due to terrain and physical limitations, called 911 for assistance exiting the area. The glider was safely retrieved the following morning.
    • Follow-Up: The instructor and Safety Director completed the formal accident report for tracking and site safety records.
  • Late July – Landing Field Injury (AJX)
    • Summary: A pilot experienced a hard landing at Andy Jackson Airpark, resulting in a dislocated shoulder. Medical transport was requested on-site.
    • Follow-Up: The Safety Director reached out to the pilot with a request to complete an formal accident report..

3. Operational Safety Protocols & Member Reminders

  • Emergency Signalling: Members are reminded to monitor primary club radio frequencies during active field operations and abide by visual field closures (e.g., white “X” on the LZ during emergency or helicopter operations). Do not launch while the white “X” is in the LZ.
  • Rating & Membership Requirements: All pilots utilizing CSS sites are required to maintain active USHPA ratings and current CSS membership privileges before flying.
  • Landing Approach: All members and visiting pilots, including students, are reminded to adhere to the landing approach for their designated aircraft. Unless in an emergency, paraglider figure 8’s should be limited to west of the training hill to avoid conflict with hang gliders on approach. Landing approach rules apply even when pilots believe there are none of the other type of aircraft in the air. 
  • Post-landing Reminder: After landing, pilots should check for traffic coming in and clear the field as soon as possible. Paraglider pilots should drop their wings immediately upon landing, as kiting in the landing area poses a risk for other landing aircraft.