Crash Posted Yahoo 12-27-03

[ZipItyDoDa]

While laying my chute out today,my wife drove up to tell me that my friend Dan had just called our house to say he was down, the only thing my wife could get out of him was that he was in the county N. of us, that his leg was hurt and that he was going to try to make it to a house he saw near by. that's all she got out of him ,except he wasn't in any trees. My friends wife was already airborne in her Luscomb so we alerted her,and about this same time another friend drove up, so he went in his citabria and of course me in my DM. After about 40 min. out I got a call from Debbie, she had spotted Dan's red, white and blue chute in a cow pasture, after she directed me in, I went in and surveyed things out I decided to try and land, I noticed his cart was sitting nearly under a power line, so I had to come in the opposite direction from the way he was heading, any way I made it down ok. Dan had been flying down this valley full of pastures real low when he caught the glitter of a power line,knowing it was to late to try going over it he pulled power back to ideil and slammed both steering bars forward, the chute must have just caught the bottom wire, cart swung forward, chute came loose and of course down he came. When he came down his left foot came off the steering bar and got cut by the 6-chuter steering connection mounted on left main frame. After a visit to hospital all will be OK thank GOD. But cant say the same for cart, it's busted up pretty good.
Jim Fouts

[135Boomer]

I think that Powerlines are one of our worst enemies when flying a PPC. It's always good to scope out an area before flying too low. Glad he made it out okay. It coulda been much much worse!

[ZipItyDoDa]

I have gone through all of the incident database. And I have to think the worst problem out there for PPC's is bad judgment on the part of the pilot. (I know its gotten ME into some good messes!!) The vast majority of time a pilot gets into trouble is when he starts making mistakes. Sometimes small ones that snowball into a BIG problem.
His buddy obviously saw the wire there when he flew up there. Sounds like someone was caught up in the flight and wasn't paying attention. (Unless his eyes are really that bad that he couldn't see the wire.)
I'm just glad he came out of it ok.
Ed

PS (And glad I've gotten out of mine ok.) ;)

[PPFlyer]

Tell your buddy we're all glad he's ok. I'll bet he looks for the the wire next time!

Scott

[mudbayflyer]

While we are thankful for the safe outcome the main reason for examining this incident is to learn and increase our level of safety.

Depending on our vision is not the best way to avoid power lines. It must be combined with proper flight planning. All pilots love low and slow, but to fly safely in the weeds we must have a good game plan. To start with look at your sectional, you remember what that looks like don’t you? Look for and identify the cross-country power transmission lines in your intended and extended area of flight. Know where they are because when the sun is low and in your eyes you will not see them. Next, pre-fly a proposed low-level route at 300’ to check for power lines and other obstructions. Then with extreme caution fly your route with calm conditions. If wind is present, fly into the wind so a gust will make you climb instead of eating corn. The following picture is from my first “introductory lesson.”

[ZipItyDoDa]

Wow looks like you were picking the corn early that year. Yeah all aspects of flying should be gone over, so theres no trouble. But sometimes the best of us get carried away with the moment. At least we have this data base for reference. I know its helped me a lot.
I know I have learned from it....always go for the beans if you have the chance....

(From MY second flight)
:D

[R. Craig]

Using your PPC to deliver produce? You guys are slick.
See ya,
RCraig