Sad Day

[Bob T]

http://www.abc15.com/news/region-northern-az/other/pilot-killed-in-gliding-accident-in-prescott-valley

Another loss to the soaring community. Bummer. Our hearts go out to the family. More info probably tomorrow from someone in the Prescott area.

[Bob T]

On Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 9:04:17 PM UTC-7, Bob T wrote:
> http://www.abc15.com/news/region-northern-az/other/pilot-killed-in-gliding-accident-in-prescott-valley
>
> Another loss to the soaring community. Bummer. Our hearts go out to the family. More info probably tomorrow from someone in the Prescott area.

Pilot was Bob Bowman, just got his private at Sundance in Moriarty a couple of months ago, Spun the club Cirrus on winch tow @ 800-1200 feet. Don't know about med issues but he was in pretty good shape at 72.

[Martin Gregorie[_5_]]

On Mon, 13 Apr 2015 22:14:02 -0700, Bob T wrote:

> On Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 9:04:17 PM UTC-7, Bob T wrote:
>> http://www.abc15.com/news/region-northern-az/other/pilot-killed-in-
gliding-accident-in-prescott-valley
>>
>> Another loss to the soaring community. Bummer. Our hearts go out to
>> the family. More info probably tomorrow from someone in the Prescott
>> area.
>
> Pilot was Bob Bowman, just got his private at Sundance in Moriarty a
> couple of months ago, Spun the club Cirrus on winch tow @ 800-1200 feet.
> Don't know about med issues but he was in pretty good shape at 72.

Was it a cable break?


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

[[email protected]]

On Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 10:04:17 PM UTC-6, Bob T wrote:
> http://www.abc15.com/news/region-northern-az/other/pilot-killed-in-gliding-accident-in-prescott-valley
>
> Another loss to the soaring community. Bummer. Our hearts go out to the family. More info probably tomorrow from someone in the Prescott area.

As previously stated, Bob got his private license recently at Sundance Aviation in Moriarty, NM. It should be noted, however, that he'd been flying solo for about eight years previously and had as many as 300 winch launches to his credit. He received his private glider license using aero tow.

I remember Bob as a nice gentleman and a good stick while providing aero tows. Condolences to his family.

[[email protected]]

Club members that witnessed the accident are in agreement that Bob stall/spun on tow at about 1/2 way up at 1000 feet or so and made no attempt to recover with about 3 turns to impact. The glider back released almost immediately after onset of the stall/spin. Personally I think he reacted to a slow on tow condition by pulling instead of pushing over to cause the spin then experienced sensory overload as the spin progressed. Very sad day at Prescott Soaring. The only serious accident in 30+ plus years of winching.

[Charlie M. (UH & 002 owner/pilot)]

Sucks to lose anyone, regardless of the reason.

In 20/20 hindsight, what can we ALL learn from this?!?!

Some of will say, "Crap happens"..... one of my old bosses stated, "You only LET crap happen"...... he did a "goof", started to say, "Crap...." his staff just looked at him letting him know what we would say shortly after.

Yes, it's a sad day to lose a pilot. Condolences to his family & friends.

[Boise Pilot]

Having been through the after events of a fataal accident I suggest that all comments from witnesses or club members as to the event or possible causes be kept off the cyber world. This is for the benefit and protection of the family, club and all persons involved even remotely.
Boise. ID

[Boise Pilot]

Having been invvolved in the after event of a fatal accident I recommend that all comments from witnessws and club members not be posted to the cyber world. This is for the proctection of the pilot's family, club members, club and any individuals even remotely involved.
Boise, ID

[Ramy[_2_]]

On Friday, April 24, 2015 at 9:31:04 AM UTC-7, Boise Pilot wrote:
> Having been invvolved in the after event of a fatal accident I recommend that all comments from witnessws and club members not be posted to the cyber world. This is for the proctection of the pilot's family, club members, club and any individuals even remotely involved.
> Boise, ID

This is a sure way to protect some while exposing others to repeat the same mistakes. There is no reason to avoid a respectful discussion. And no, we can not leave this to NTSB which is rather useless when investigating gliders accidents.
My condolences to family and friends.

Ramy

[BobW]

On 4/24/2015 12:36 PM, Ramy wrote:
> On Friday, April 24, 2015 at 9:31:04 AM UTC-7, Boise Pilot wrote:
>> Having been involved in the after event of a fatal accident I recommend
>> that all comments from witnesses and club members not be posted to the
>> cyber world. This is for the protection of the pilot's family, club
>> members, club and any individuals even remotely involved. Boise, ID
>
> This is a sure way to protect some while exposing others to repeat the same
> mistakes. There is no reason to avoid a respectful discussion. And no, we
> can not leave this to NTSB which is rather useless when investigating
> gliders accidents. My condolences to family and friends.
>
> Ramy
>

+1

I, too, have been involved with after-effects of fatal glider accidents
(plural, sigh): friends, family, clubs, NTSB. IMO there is always a place for
respectful, sorrowing, inquisitive (as in "What lessons may the rest of the
soaring world glean from these tragic events which possibly may prevent
repetition?"), open discussion by whatever means timely and respectfully suitable.

Respectfully,
Bob W.

[Boise Pilot]

I am not suggesting stopping discussion but do recommend that it be done in such a manner that no single or mutiple individuals become the "expert" witness. Lawsuits do happen, NTSB will try to establish fault at any level, mechanics will be checked, ground personell etc. Not sure if everyone realizes that if there is an insurance policy claim and not just on the aircraft but maybe there is a life policy, the insurance company will look for a way to collect from someone. I thought most clubs had a policy that they have a single source for information and that any others would not make statements of FACT but identify any such comments as speculation. There are already comments that bring in a question of cable break, a hint that there might have been an issue while on climb-winch???- that caused some incorrect action by the pilot and medical issues even if they are only questions from outsiders they cloud the legal/insurance issues going forward. If you want to get real world info on how this can go south for a club, individual members me included, dealer, mechanic and involve the SSA because it was a contest contact me directly.
Boise, ID