Groundloop accident at the Senior Contest

[John Good]

At around 12:54 today, Thomas Johnson (V12 - MiniNumbus) was injured in a takeoff groundloop accident. He was airlifted to an Orlando hospital, where he'll be met by his wife.

Emergency medical personnel were pleased with his vital signs and cautiously optimistic about his prospects for recovery. We'll post an update when a report on his condition is available.

[John Good]

Pilot is currently reported to be in surgery to address ankle & leg injuries plus a dislocated hip. Doctors are optimistic for a good outcome.

[[email protected]]

Thanks for the update.

[Dgtarmichael]

On Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 4:26:18 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> Thanks for the update.
Awe, man... Tom was one of my first instructors 30ish years ago. Great guy... wish him a speedy recovery!

-Doug
W24

[Dan Marotta]

Get well quickly, Tom.

Dan
5J

On 3/16/21 5:16 PM, Dgtarmichael wrote:
> On Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 4:26:18 PM UTC-5, wrote:
>> Thanks for the update.
> Awe, man... Tom was one of my first instructors 30ish years ago. Great guy... wish him a speedy recovery!
>
> -Doug
> W24
>

[Hartley Falbaum[_2_]]

Speedy and complete recovery, Tom.
So sorry to hear of your injury.




On Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 8:34:47 PM UTC-4, Dan Marotta wrote:
> Get well quickly, Tom.
>
> Dan
> 5J
> On 3/16/21 5:16 PM, Dgtarmichael wrote:
> > On Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 4:26:18 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> >> Thanks for the update.
> > Awe, man... Tom was one of my first instructors 30ish years ago. Great guy... wish him a speedy recovery!
> >
> > -Doug
> > W24
> >

[Dave Nadler]

On 3/16/2021 4:41 PM, John Good wrote:
> Pilot is currently reported to be in surgery to address ankle & leg injuries plus a dislocated hip.
> Doctors are optimistic for a good outcome.

Very sorry to hear and wish Tom a speedy recovery.
This might be good to review:
https://groups.google.com/g/rec.aviation.soaring/c/FQrj_lGe-wE/m/2GGBShuhs2oJ
No new ways to crash...
Be safe out there, See ya, Dave

[Eric Greenwell[_4_]]

Dave Nadler wrote on 3/16/2021 5:48 PM:
> On 3/16/2021 4:41 PM, John Good wrote:
>> Pilot is currently reported to be in surgery to address ankle & leg injuries plus a
>> dislocated hip. Doctors are optimistic for a good outcome.
>
> Very sorry to hear and wish Tom a speedy recovery.
> This might be good to review:
> https://groups.google.com/g/rec.aviation.soaring/c/FQrj_lGe-wE/m/2GGBShuhs2oJ
> No new ways to crash...
> Be safe out there, See ya, Dave

I don't know anything about the accident, but often wonder if a steerable tail wheel would
reduce the number ground loops while towing. Having a steerable tail wheel on my ASH26E really
made an impression on me - no more being a passenger on a ballistic aircraft.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorgliders/publications/download-the-guide-1

[Dave Nadler]

On 3/16/2021 9:34 PM, Eric Greenwell wrote:
> I don't know anything about the accident, but often wonder if a
> steerable tail wheel would reduce the number ground loops while towing.
> Having a steerable tail wheel on my ASH26E really made an impression on
> me - no more being a passenger on a ballistic aircraft.

More important for directional control is the weight on the tail
skid/wheel. A tailwheel (steerable or fixed) doesn't help much
without enough weight in back, which cannot be easily accomplished
without the gear swinging well forward and other design considerations.

Most important is to practice grabbing that release handle,
and expect to have to do it during launch. I lost count of how
many times I had to pull the plug, usually because of poor
tug acceleration and/or poor wing-run. These days when taking a
tow in a motorglider, I take off wing down (on the tip wheel)
to avoid the wing-drop excitement.

Hope that helps!
Best Regards, Dave

[Eric Greenwell[_4_]]

Dave Nadler wrote on 3/17/2021 5:56 AM:
> On 3/16/2021 9:34 PM, Eric Greenwell wrote:
>> I don't know anything about the accident, but often wonder if a steerable tail wheel would
>> reduce the number ground loops while towing. Having a steerable tail wheel on my ASH26E
>> really made an impression on me - no more being a passenger on a ballistic aircraft.
>
> More important for directional control is the weight on the tail skid/wheel. A tailwheel
> (steerable or fixed) doesn't help much
> without enough weight in back, which cannot be easily accomplished without the gear swinging
> well forward and other design considerations.
>
> Most important is to practice grabbing that release handle,
> and expect to have to do it during launch. I lost count of how
> many times I had to pull the plug, usually because of poor
> tug acceleration and/or poor wing-run. These days when taking a
> tow in a motorglider, I take off wing down (on the tip wheel)
> to avoid the wing-drop excitement.
>
> Hope that helps!
> Best Regards, Dave

You are right about the weight, which is substantial (by design) on the ASH26E, but some
Schempp-Hirth and DG models have much less, leading to control problems in a cross-wind, and
especially when power is applied during a self-launch.

Wing runner or wing down, my glider has sufficient steering that it's irrelevant to safety
which is used, and I don't want to discourage people trying to be helpful :^) But, a good wing
runner does make it a bit easier on the wing when it's a rough field, especially with ballast.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorgliders/publications/download-the-guide-1

[Ron Branham[_2_]]

On Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 1:51:11 PM UTC-5, John Good wrote:
> At around 12:54 today, Thomas Johnson (V12 - MiniNumbus) was injured in a takeoff groundloop accident. He was airlifted to an Orlando hospital, where he'll be met by his wife.
>

This is what happened to Tom Johnson. V12. One of our club members is Tom’s partner in the Mini-Nimbus. He posted this on our email site as we are all anxious to hear about Tom’s status.

“V12 has a CG hook which is less directionally stable during the initial takeoff. Apparently the left wing dropped to the ground maybe due to propwash from the towplane. The left wingtip on the ground turned the glider about 30 degrees to the East where it departed the runway, crossed the service road and collided with a truck that one of the other contestants had parked next to the runway in violation of contest procedures. The glider submarined the body of the truck.�
Please keep Tom in your prayers a quick recovery, and full recovery.

Ron Branham

[john firth]

On Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 10:36:51 AM UTC-4, Ron Branham wrote:
> On Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 1:51:11 PM UTC-5, John Good wrote:
> > At around 12:54 today, Thomas Johnson (V12 - MiniNumbus) was injured in a takeoff groundloop accident. He was airlifted to an Orlando hospital, where he'll be met by his wife.
> >
> This is what happened to Tom Johnson. V12. One of our club members is Tom’s partner in the Mini-Nimbus. He posted this on our email site as we are all anxious to hear about Tom’s status.
>
> “V12 has a CG hook which is less directionally stable during the initial takeoff. Apparently the left wing dropped to the ground maybe due to propwash from the towplane. The left wingtip on the ground turned the glider about 30 degrees to the East where it departed the runway, crossed the service road and collided with a truck that one of the other contestants had parked next to the runway in violation of contest procedures. The glider submarined the body of the truck.�
> Please keep Tom in your prayers a quick recovery, and full recovery.
>
> Ron Branham

Very unfortunate; does the mini Nim have tail skid or wheel?
The PIK20E has a steerable tailwheel but authority is limited due to the spring coupling.
It has suffered numerous serious ground loops.
On a few occasions I have been unable to stop the swing before stopping; braking will
exacerbate the swing. One has to be very cautious about steering off the runway
as is expected at club sites.
John F

[George Haeh]

Winching we teach keeping the hand on the release for the entire launch.

With CG hook on aerotow, same applies as tow pilot preservation becomes paramount. I've had to release twice in the air (tow speed too low).

BGA Safe Winch Launching advises releasing before wing contacts the ground if you can't stop the wing drop.

I find rudder works better than ailerons in keeping the wings off the ground in the early ground roll. It depends on your glider. YMMV

[Nicholas Kennedy]

I was surprised to read that the launch procedure was compromised at Seminole and resulted in a bad accident.
I wish Tom a full quick and complete recovery.
This is a old problem.

Several years ago at the SSB camp in Salida I was the next to go when a SSB instructor pulled up and left his car, off the runway, but in front of me just where I thought I'd hit it if the the launch went bad. I released the rope and refused to launch until he moved his car.
He threw a tizzy at me but I refused to launch and held up the line, until he moved his car behind the launch point.
Nothing got bent out of shape that day but the SSB Instructor's ego.
We've got to hold the line on safety, soaring is so dangerous already.
Fly safe in 2021
Nick
T

[Walt Connelly]

;1040218']On Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 1:51:11 PM UTC-5, John Good wrote:
At around 12:54 today, Thomas Johnson (V12 - MiniNumbus) was injured in a takeoff groundloop accident. He was airlifted to an Orlando hospital, where he'll be met by his wife.


This is what happened to Tom Johnson. V12. One of our club members is Tom’s partner in the Mini-Nimbus. He posted this on our email site as we are all anxious to hear about Tom’s status.

“V12 has a CG hook which is less directionally stable during the initial takeoff. Apparently the left wing dropped to the ground maybe due to propwash from the towplane. The left wingtip on the ground turned the glider about 30 degrees to the East where it departed the runway, crossed the service road and collided with a truck that one of the other contestants had parked next to the runway in violation of contest procedures. The glider submarined the body of the truck.�
Please keep Tom in your prayers a quick recovery, and full recovery.

Ron Branham

Best wishes to Tom for a complete recovery. It should be the responsibility of EVERYONE at an event such as this to look for infractions that could inhibit the safety of the launch. Whether it be something over which one could trip to something that might result in a fatality the contest director, launch crew, flag man/woman/person, tow pilot, VP, manager and airport dog should all be aware of and enforcing the rules. I would imagine that submarining the truck was what resulted in the pilot's injuries. An avoidable situation for sure.

Walt Connelly
Former Tow Pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot

[Ron Branham[_2_]]

On Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 11:40:41 AM UTC-5, john firth wrote:
> On Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 10:36:51 AM UTC-4, Ron Branham wrote:
> > On Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 1:51:11 PM UTC-5, John Good wrote:
> > > At around 12:54 today, Thomas Johnson (V12 - MiniNumbus) was injured in a takeoff groundloop accident. He was airlifted to an Orlando hospital, where he'll be met by his wife.
> > >
> > This is what happened to Tom Johnson. V12. One of our club members is Tom’s partner in the Mini-Nimbus. He posted this on our email site as we are all anxious to hear about Tom’s status.
> >
> > “V12 has a CG hook which is less directionally stable during the initial takeoff. Apparently the left wing dropped to the ground maybe due to propwash from the towplane. The left wingtip on the ground turned the glider about 30 degrees to the East where it departed the runway, crossed the service road and collided with a truck that one of the other contestants had parked next to the runway in violation of contest procedures. The glider submarined the body of the truck.�
> > Please keep Tom in your prayers a quick recovery, and full recovery.
> >
> > Ron Branham
> Very unfortunate; does the mini Nim have tail skid or wheel?
> The PIK20E has a steerable tailwheel but authority is limited due to the spring coupling.
> It has suffered numerous serious ground loops.
> On a few occasions I have been unable to stop the swing before stopping; braking will
> exacerbate the swing. One has to be very cautious about steering off the runway
> as is expected at club sites.
> John F


Tom’s Mini nimbus has a tail wheel that is not steerable.

[Waveguru]

Good for you Nick. Having things or people to the sides and in front of the launching gliders is very bad.

Boggs

[[email protected]]

Common procedure for aerotow with a flapped glider involves starting in negative flap to get aileron control authority early, then moving back to zero/+1/whatever.

Can't really have hand on the release handle under those circumstances - but can make a mental note of knowing where it is, and practice dropping the flap handle & grabbing it pre takeoff.

Nick.



On Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 4:14:38 AM UTC+10:30, wrote:
> Winching we teach keeping the hand on the release for the entire launch.
>
> With CG hook on aerotow, same applies as tow pilot preservation becomes paramount. I've had to release twice in the air (tow speed too low).
>
> BGA Safe Winch Launching advises releasing before wing contacts the ground if you can't stop the wing drop.
>
> I find rudder works better than ailerons in keeping the wings off the ground in the early ground roll. It depends on your glider. YMMV

[Eric Greenwell[_4_]]

I routinely start my ASH26E in negative flap, but there is no need change to positive flaps
until 20-25 knots IAS. So, until then, I keep my hand near (not on) the release. That's if I'm
being towed; if it's a self-launch, I keep my hand behind the spoiler handle.

wrote on 3/17/2021 7:18 PM:
> Common procedure for aerotow with a flapped glider involves starting in negative flap to get aileron control authority early, then moving back to zero/+1/whatever.
>
> Can't really have hand on the release handle under those circumstances - but can make a mental note of knowing where it is, and practice dropping the flap handle & grabbing it pre takeoff.
>
> Nick.
>
>
>
> On Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 4:14:38 AM UTC+10:30, wrote:
>> Winching we teach keeping the hand on the release for the entire launch.
>>
>> With CG hook on aerotow, same applies as tow pilot preservation becomes paramount. I've had to release twice in the air (tow speed too low).
>>
>> BGA Safe Winch Launching advises releasing before wing contacts the ground if you can't stop the wing drop.
>>
>> I find rudder works better than ailerons in keeping the wings off the ground in the early ground roll. It depends on your glider. YMMV


--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorgliders/publications/download-the-guide-1

[George Haeh]

It's usually the early ground roll where you might not be able to keep the wings clear of the ground.

In my ASW-27 on aerotow, I keep my hand on the release until the gear gets noisy. That's when I have aileron control and can change flaps; then hand back on release.

In the 27 the release is near the canopy rail and close to the flap handle when negative. Much more ergonomic than release handles out of sight between your legs on the cockpit floor. In that case even more important to have your hand on the release. In the rear seat of our club Grob we have a lanyard on the release as it's hard to reach without it.

[waremark]

On Thursday, 18 March 2021 at 03:33:27 UTC, Eric Greenwell wrote:
> I routinely start my ASH26E in negative flap, but there is no need change to positive flaps
> until 20-25 knots IAS. So, until then, I keep my hand near (not on) the release. That's if I'm
> being towed; if it's a self-launch, I keep my hand behind the spoiler handle.
> wrote on 3/17/2021 7:18 PM:

> --
> Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
> - "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
> https://sites.google.com/site/motorgliders/publications/download-the-guide-1

While I appreciate the danger of open spoilers, when self-launching I generally keep my left hand on the throttle except when changing from negative to positive flap. If something goes wrong, the first thing you want to do is pull the throttle.

On the danger of open spoilers, I will admit that, in spite of having previously read the warning in your brilliant Guide to SLS Ops, on my second flight in the ASH 26E I started with the spoilers not locked. The brilliant take-off performance resulted in a satisfactory take-off, just after which I heard on the radio 'Mark spoilers open'. It was a clever call to use my name which got through to me - I banged the spoilers shut.

Mark Burton

[Tango Eight]

On Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 1:32:40 PM UTC-4, wrote:
> It's usually the early ground roll where you might not be able to keep the wings clear of the ground.
>
> In my ASW-27 on aerotow, I keep my hand on the release until the gear gets noisy. That's when I have aileron control and can change flaps; then hand back on release.
>
> In the 27 the release is near the canopy rail and close to the flap handle when negative. Much more ergonomic than release handles out of sight between your legs on the cockpit floor. In that case even more important to have your hand on the release. In the rear seat of our club Grob we have a lanyard on the release as it's hard to reach without it.

This guy had the same procedure.
https://app.ntsb.gov/pdfgenerator/ReportGeneratorFile.ashx?EventID=20070828X01254&AKey=1&RType=Final&IType=CA

T8

[2G]

On Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 6:43:10 PM UTC-7, Walt Connelly wrote:
> 'Ron Branham[_2_ Wrote:
> > ;1040218']On Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 1:51:11 PM UTC-5, John Good
> > wrote:-
> > At around 12:54 today, Thomas Johnson (V12 - MiniNumbus) was injured in
> > a takeoff groundloop accident. He was airlifted to an Orlando hospital,
> > where he'll be met by his wife.
> > -
> >
> > This is what happened to Tom Johnson. V12. One of our club members is
> > Tom’s partner in the Mini-Nimbus. He posted this on our email site as
> > we are all anxious to hear about Tom’s status.
> >
> > “V12 has a CG hook which is less directionally stable during the
> > initial takeoff. Apparently the left wing dropped to the ground maybe
> > due to propwash from the towplane. The left wingtip on the ground
> > turned the glider about 30 degrees to the East where it departed the
> > runway, crossed the service road and collided with a truck that one of
> > the other contestants had parked next to the runway in violation of
> > contest procedures. The glider submarined the body of the truck.�
> > Please keep Tom in your prayers a quick recovery, and full recovery.
> >
> > Ron Branham
> Best wishes to Tom for a complete recovery. It should be the
> responsibility of EVERYONE at an event such as this to look for
> infractions that could inhibit the safety of the launch. Whether it be
> something over which one could trip to something that might result in a
> fatality the contest director, launch crew, flag man/woman/person, tow
> pilot, VP, manager and airport dog should all be aware of and enforcing
> the rules. I would imagine that submarining the truck was what resulted
> in the pilot's injuries. An avoidable situation for sure.
>
> Walt Connelly
> Former Tow Pilot
> Now Happy Helicopter Pilot
>
>
>
>
> --
> Walt Connelly

I worked for many years at a National Laboratory, first in the 70's then in 2000's. The safety culture was a total turn around in that time period. One simple concept was that ANYONE could stop an experiment, process, procedure, etc. for a safety issue. The issue would be investigated and corrected before work could resume w/o repercussions to the person reporting the problem.

Tom

[[email protected]]

>... and collided with a truck that one of the other contestants had parked next to the runway in violation of contest procedures. The glider submarined the body of the truck.�
> Please keep Tom in your prayers a quick recovery, and full recovery.
> Ron Branham

I would caution against speculation. The truck was actually parked behind the service road adjacent to the runway. Whether or not it was in violation of the Contest's procedures remains to be proven in this forum as no one has provided a copy of the contest's ground procedures or the Pilot's Packet for further examination on RAS.

I was present but did not witness the impact until after I heard the noise as I had my back turned to the incident when it happened. For the record, I was not a pilot entrant in this contest. The vehicle in question was in fact parked behind the service road. That said, the further back vehicles, trailers, people, etc. are from the launch operation the greater margin there is for error or unexpected events like this. I look forward to reading the NTSB report if only to get their viewpoint on the accident. We should all learn from others misfortunes when they happen. I also realize that it could happen to me someday... It's something I'm sure all the pilots that were present have given much thought to since the accident.

Best wishes to Tom and his family for a speedy recovery. Sadly, it couldn't have happened to a nicer, more down to earth, safety conscious guy than Tom. Get well soon Tom!

- Chris Schrader

[Walt Connelly]

On Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 6:43:10 PM UTC-7, Walt Connelly wrote:
'Ron Branham[_2_ Wrote:
;1040218']On Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at 1:51:11 PM UTC-5, John Good
wrote:-
At around 12:54 today, Thomas Johnson (V12 - MiniNumbus) was injured in
a takeoff groundloop accident. He was airlifted to an Orlando hospital,
where he'll be met by his wife.
-

This is what happened to Tom Johnson. V12. One of our club members is
Tom’s partner in the Mini-Nimbus. He posted this on our email site as
we are all anxious to hear about Tom’s status.

“V12 has a CG hook which is less directionally stable during the
initial takeoff. Apparently the left wing dropped to the ground maybe
due to propwash from the towplane. The left wingtip on the ground
turned the glider about 30 degrees to the East where it departed the
runway, crossed the service road and collided with a truck that one of
the other contestants had parked next to the runway in violation of
contest procedures. The glider submarined the body of the truck.�
Please keep Tom in your prayers a quick recovery, and full recovery.

Ron Branham
Best wishes to Tom for a complete recovery. It should be the
responsibility of EVERYONE at an event such as this to look for
infractions that could inhibit the safety of the launch. Whether it be
something over which one could trip to something that might result in a
fatality the contest director, launch crew, flag man/woman/person, tow
pilot, VP, manager and airport dog should all be aware of and enforcing
the rules. I would imagine that submarining the truck was what resulted
in the pilot's injuries. An avoidable situation for sure.

Walt Connelly
Former Tow Pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot




--
Walt Connelly

I worked for many years at a National Laboratory, first in the 70's then in 2000's. The safety culture was a total turn around in that time period. One simple concept was that ANYONE could stop an experiment, process, procedure, etc. for a safety issue. The issue would be investigated and corrected before work could resume w/o repercussions to the person reporting the problem.

Tom

I experienced the same thing essentially, worked in health physics with a nuclear reactor refueling crew. Some shutdowns were text book perfect because management was on the ball and concerned not only with a quick and efficient refueling but a safe one too. I saw places that were heavily fined by OSHA and other Federal agencies who quickly straightened out, others that never did no matter what. It’s all a matter of management culture. Where management was heavy with engineers and physicists things went smoothly, where it was dominated by MBAs and CPAs, not so well. In environments where I had been given some teeth and authority things went well, others not so much. Delegation of authority is necessary to improve safety in virtually all environments.

In reality it is amazing that an event such as the Seniors goes off year after year with as few problems as it does.

Walt Connelly
Former Tow Pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot

[Rich Owen[_2_]]

Updates to Tom’s condition are being made to club members at Coastal Soaring via email and to the Seniors competitors via Signal app. We are abiding by the families wishes to not send out many posts on the internet.

We do know Tom is awake and talking with friends. His surgery to repair his broken leg was completed successfully yesterday. He has had three surgeries and he is scheduled for another on Friday to repair his foot/ankle. Edie is surrounded by friends and family and is doing well.

An FAA inspector spent last Wednesday morning reviewing the incident location, the condition of the ship, truck location, launch procedures, and a video of the incident from security cameras on the gliderport. We switch camera views based on the runway in use to review flight operations. The FAA inspector was in contact with his counterpart at the NTSB and we hope an interim report will give us more answers.
The video contradicts one of the witness statements and some incorrect information has been disseminating on line. Although the video is from a distance, it clearly shows that the quote taken from an email from Rus Howard, that Ron Branham posted on Rec Aviation Soaring on March 17th is accurate except the impact point appears to have been on the truck’s running board and lower passenger side door. The nose of the ship did not go under the truck. The wing runner on V12 was a CFI-G and cell phone video from the launch of the previous aircraft, by the same individual, did not show any procedural anomalies. Weather conditions at the time of the accident winds were out of the south at 12-15 mph. Takeoffs were being made on runway 18..

As in all aviation incidents, when one of our friends is injured, we all feel the pain. The FAA will release their investigation when it is complete and appropriate recommendations will be complied with. Meanwhile, pilots should perhaps consider whether it’s wise or helpful to offer comments and speculation on an incident they did not see and don’t have full knowledge of.
We have Tom and his family in our prayers and we are standing by to provide any assistance. All the competitors, staff, and management at Seminole-Lake Gliderport wish Tom a speedy recovery.

Sincerely,

Rich Owen
Contest Manager
Senior Soaring Championship

[Hartley Falbaum[_2_]]

Thanks Rich;

For now, it is sufficient to know Tom is progressing well.
The details can wait.
I think very highly of Tom--he is one of the faculty of the SSF FIRC that I attend.

Please ask someone to pass along my wishes for a full and speedy recovery .

Hartley Falbaum


On Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 9:26:38 AM UTC-4, wrote:
> Updates to Tom’s condition are being made to club members at Coastal Soaring via email and to the Seniors competitors via Signal app. We are abiding by the families wishes to not send out many posts on the internet.
>
> We do know Tom is awake and talking with friends. His surgery to repair his broken leg was completed successfully yesterday. He has had three surgeries and he is scheduled for another on Friday to repair his foot/ankle. Edie is surrounded by friends and family and is doing well.
>
> An FAA inspector spent last Wednesday morning reviewing the incident location, the condition of the ship, truck location, launch procedures, and a video of the incident from security cameras on the gliderport. We switch camera views based on the runway in use to review flight operations. The FAA inspector was in contact with his counterpart at the NTSB and we hope an interim report will give us more answers.
> The video contradicts one of the witness statements and some incorrect information has been disseminating on line. Although the video is from a distance, it clearly shows that the quote taken from an email from Rus Howard, that Ron Branham posted on Rec Aviation Soaring on March 17th is accurate except the impact point appears to have been on the truck’s running board and lower passenger side door. The nose of the ship did not go under the truck. The wing runner on V12 was a CFI-G and cell phone video from the launch of the previous aircraft, by the same individual, did not show any procedural anomalies. Weather conditions at the time of the accident winds were out of the south at 12-15 mph. Takeoffs were being made on runway 18.
>
> As in all aviation incidents, when one of our friends is injured, we all feel the pain. The FAA will release their investigation when it is complete and appropriate recommendations will be complied with. Meanwhile, pilots should perhaps consider whether it’s wise or helpful to offer comments and speculation on an incident they did not see and don’t have full knowledge of.
> We have Tom and his family in our prayers and we are standing by to provide any assistance. All the competitors, staff, and management at Seminole-Lake Gliderport wish Tom a speedy recovery.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Rich Owen
> Contest Manager
> Senior Soaring Championship

[Richard Owen]

Harley,

Will do.

Rich

[2G]

On Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 7:32:51 PM UTC-7, Richard Owen wrote:
> Harley,
>
> Will do.
>
> Rich

Whether or not the glider "submarined" under the truck is irrelevant - what is relevant is the truck shouldn't have been there per contest rules. Additionally, and more importantly, the contest manager failed at enforcing these rules.

Tom

[Walt Connelly]

On Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 7:32:51 PM UTC-7, Richard Owen wrote:
Harley,

Will do.

Rich

Whether or not the glider "submarined" under the truck is irrelevant - what is relevant is the truck shouldn't have been there per contest rules. Additionally, and more importantly, the contest manager failed at enforcing these rules.

Tom
Right you are Tom but you gotta love Rich, ever the master of rhetoric. And remember, Mihai was out of the country looking for new business opportunities.....AND ASYLUM in my Constitutionally protected opinion.

Walt
Former Tow Pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot.

[2G]

On Friday, March 26, 2021 at 6:43:14 PM UTC-7, Walt Connelly wrote:
> 2G;1040445 Wrote:
> > On Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 7:32:51 PM UTC-7, Richard Owen wrote:-
> > Harley,
> >
> > Will do.
> >
> > Rich-
> >
> > Whether or not the glider "submarined" under the truck is irrelevant -
> > what is relevant is the truck shouldn't have been there per contest
> > rules. Additionally, and more importantly, the contest manager failed at
> > enforcing these rules.
> >
> > Tom
> Right you are Tom but you gotta love Rich, ever the master of rhetoric.
> And remember, Mihai was out of the country looking for new business
> opportunities.....AND ASYLUM in my Constitutionally protected opinion.
>
> Walt
> Former Tow Pilot
> Now Happy Helicopter Pilot.
>
>
>
>
> --
> Walt Connelly
Noted. I won't comment on Mihai since Rich threatened me with a lawsuit if I do (and I have spoken my piece, anyhow).

Tom

[Walt Connelly]

On Friday, March 26, 2021 at 6:43:14 PM UTC-7, Walt Connelly wrote:
2G;1040445 Wrote:
On Thursday, March 25, 2021 at 7:32:51 PM UTC-7, Richard Owen wrote:-
Harley,

Will do.

Rich-

Whether or not the glider "submarined" under the truck is irrelevant -
what is relevant is the truck shouldn't have been there per contest
rules. Additionally, and more importantly, the contest manager failed at
enforcing these rules.

Tom
Right you are Tom but you gotta love Rich, ever the master of rhetoric.
And remember, Mihai was out of the country looking for new business
opportunities.....AND ASYLUM in my Constitutionally protected opinion.

Walt
Former Tow Pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot.




--
Walt Connelly
Noted. I won't comment on Mihai since Rich threatened me with a lawsuit if I do (and I have spoken my piece, anyhow).

Tom

Rich is ever the good soldier, or should I say sailor covering the Admiral's six.

Walt Connelly
Former Tow Pilot
Now Happy Helicopter Pilot