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August 16, 2021 at 10:44 AM #13631
Accident summary
On August 10, approximately 4 PM, pilot hit sink behind Marshall and made a controlled tree landing in an inaccessible area behind Regionals.
Conditions
The recorded winds at Marshall were 7-12 MPH south at 4 PM on August 10.
Emergency response
Pilot was extracted from the trees by SB county helicopter
Injuries
None
Damage
None noted – PG was retrieved from trees
Pilot involved
The pilot holds current CSS and USHPA ratings appropriate for flying from Marshall
Root cause
Pilot was low behind Marshall and could not make glide to the backup LZ
Proximate cause
After launching from Marshall pilot attempted to cross to Crestline without ensuring enough altitude to provide margin for unexpected conditions.
Corrective action
Pilot is a talented, quickly advancing PG pilot; however, pilot has only been flying for about 6 months. Pilot had been awarded P3 one and a half weeks before this accident.
In conversations with pilot’s instructor and this reporter, the pilot acknowledged that enthusiasm to advance had clouded the decision making process and pilot had not adequately considered the risk involved with the decision to attempt to cross from Marshall to Crestline.
Both pilot’s instructor and this reporter provided thoughts on risk analysis and how flying skills can come quickly but experience comes more slowly and the time to accumulate experience cannot be cut short.
Pilot’s instructor will provide guidance and flight plan approval as pilot continues to improve.
August 17, 2021 at 9:23 AM #13643Jonathan DietchGeneral MemberGood news! On the very next day, the pilot and a good friend retrieved the PG and harness intact and they resuming flying. I am friends with this pilot and will assist with mentoring in X/C skills. They are receptive to positive mentoring.
Here’s a positive mentoring tip: Anytime the LZ is out of gliding range, we are in X/C mode and need to find lift or locate another place to land safely. X/C is any flying that places us beyond easy reach of our regular LZ and is not limited ‘long’ distance flying. Plenty of pilots land out while flying locally. It’s a fact of life and one that does not need to become a drama. Let’s keep it upbeat people.
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