ACCIDENT REVIEW COMMITTEE
> Jerry Keller
2020 Hang Gliding Accident Summary
: Though it’s impossible to have an accurate count of
The following paragraphs summarize the more seri-
hang glider flights for the 2020 year (2021 data is still
ous accidents from 2020 and some safety comments to
being compiled and analysis is forthcoming), we believe
consider.
the annual total flights were fewer than previous years, especially in the first six months, due to COVID-related
Fatality
concerns. In 2020, there were 25 reported accidents,
There was one towing fatality in 2020, which involved a
down 25% from 2019. These accidents included one
low altitude lockout from an unconventional tow device.
fatality and 11 serious injuries (broken bone or head
Get proper instruction from a qualified towing school
trauma).
using high-quality towing equipment. An excellent read-
Despite the general reduction in reported accidents, there was an increase in number of serious accidents
Bryden. The ARC also recently published an article in
compared to the three reported in 2019. All serious
the July/August issue called “Minimizing Aerotow Risks”
accidents involved H3, H4, or instructor pilots. One po-
by Sam Washburn.
tential theory for the increase in serious accidents may be that these pilots had flown less and were less current than in previous years. A strong desire to fly may have led to some poor decisions and a bit more risk. When working on getting current, risks may not be
Serious Accidents During an instructional aerotow tandem, the instructor handed over control to the student at approximately
20 to 30 feet when the tug was airborne. Right after
obvious since, in most cases, we are flying sites and con-
the handoff, the student pushed out, and the weak link
ditions we were used to when we were current. The safer
broke; at the instructor’s behest, the student immedi-
approach is to start with a site with easy launch and
ately pulled in. However, when instructed to push out to
landing fields, fly in mild conditions, and, depending on
land, the student froze. The instructor tried to overcome
how long it has been, work with an instructor for a more
the dive, but there was not enough time to out-leverage
guided approach. There is no shame in flying easy sites
the student, and they impacted the runway. The impact
in mild conditions and taking a sledder—it shows you
bent the wheels back far enough to cause the base bar to
are taking a more responsible approach to your flying.
hit the ground. The instructor swung forward and broke
Most accidents have unique circumstances, but our
the keel with his head, fracturing several vertebrae; the
goal at the Accident Review Committee is to try to look
student had no injuries. The instructor is doing well and
for common issues to develop safety articles and statis-
expected to make a full recovery. The student, an expe-
tics. Reporting all accidents/incidents, including non-in-
rienced pilot with truck towing experience, was working
jury or close calls, is important to developing accurate
on getting his aerotow rating.
analysis, so please send in your reports no matter how trivial they seem.
12
ing reference is “Towing Aloft” by Dennis Pagen and Bill
US HP A P I L O T
The instructor said they have decided to switch to a stronger weak link for heavier tandems. The vertical
