Safety issues
Club Management Conference 23 November 2013

1. Winch wing drop What happened next?

This cartwheeling glider fell the right way up
Video in original presentation too large to e mail
The glider in the next photo fell upside down

Winch Cartwheeling Accidents 2012-2013
 two gliders fell the right way up: minor injury
 one glider fell upside down: the pilot died

To avoid winch cartwheels
 set up correctly  everyone involved in the launch can help  Stop the Drop guidance in winch DVD  safety critical role of the wing tip holder  pilot: if you cannot keep the wings level,
RELEASE IMMEDIATELY

2. Rig correctly
Flight with an unconnected elevator

Rigging accidents/incidents 2013
Olympia 2B winch launch, unconnected elevator Std Cirrus main pin found on seat at launch point Libelle aileron disconnected ASW 20 flap disconnected Antares flown without wing outer section

Safe preparation for flight
 rig without interruption or distraction; one person must be responsible
 conduct DI and pre-flight checks without interruption or distraction

3. Do not spin near the ground

Video of spinning glider hitting the ground in original
presentation too large to e mail.

Spins in 2013
 2 gliders spun from the final turn: one pilot suffered serious injury
 another glider spun inadvertently at 900ft on a trial lesson

To avoid inadvertent spin
 whatever the workload or distractions
 FLY THE GLIDER is ALWAYS the first priority

Accidents in 2013
No fatal but 3 serious injury and 74 substantial damage

Accidents/incidents in 2013

fatal

injury

2013

2012

3

2011

2010

1

2009

4

2008

2007

4

2006

3

average 1974-2005 4.4

serious substantial injury damage
3 74 5 57 4 57 6 54 3 59 6 52 9 56 7 54 6.8 58

all
153 159 153 132 149 123 130 146 157

Focus on fatal and serious injury accidents

10 8 5

6-year fatal accident totals
30 28 29 26 24

2008-2013 2002-2007 1996-2001 1990-1995 1984-1989 1978-1983

0

15

20

35 30 25

Fatal accidents 2008 to 2013

all
average 27.4 6-years 1978-2007 2008-2013 8

winch stall/spin
6.0 5.6

collision
4.6

integrity
1.8

tmg/ tug
1.8

24

11

other
7.6

Fewer winch and collision

Serious injury accidents 2008-2013

average 6-years 1978-2007 2008-2013

all winch stall/spin landing integrity field other
41 12 10 5 2 5.5 6.5
27 1 7 4 2 9 4

Modest overall reduction Fewer winch but more field landing

The Bad News
 in each of 2011, 2012, 2013 there were 6 to 8 potential fatal accidents
 Summaries of those in 2013 follow

Potential fatal accidents in 2013
Winch launch with disconnected elevator Winch cartwheel, fell right way up Final turn at 200ft, spin Field landing, final turn, spin Inadvertent spin at 900ft on trial lesson Tug upset, rope guillotined, tug flew away from 100ft TMG touch and go, picked up winch cable Hit tree then hill on South Downs

Future fatal accidents
 overall reduction 2008-2013 is real  fewer winch should continue  fewer collision may continue (Flarm?)  last TMG accident in 2003  last ICAO tug accident in 1990  BUT: fatalities will occur if potential fatal
accidents continue

Safety Priorities 2014
Please ensure your members apply known good practice to:
– avoid collision – avoid winch stall/spin – combat winch cartwheel – rig correctly – avoid inadvertent spin – avoid tug upsets
And please operate trial lessons conservatively (11 reports in 2013)