On 1/24/2012 1:40 PM, Martin Gregorie wrote:
On Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:57:56 -0800, Frank Whiteley wrote:

http://www.asias.faa.gov/portal/pls/...EF_REPORT_PUB?
EV_ID=19790922051039G&NARR_VAR=winch
I thought this was an L-13. I believe the glider impacted several
parked power aircraft.

Off-thread comment *but* this should not, in any way, have been blamed on
the winch driver "misinterpreting a signal".

If the summary cause (glider launched without pilot on board) is correct,
the blame falls squarely on whoever put the cable on the glider. There is
never any excuse for a glider to be attached to a cable until the PIC is
strapped in, has done his checks and is ready to take an immediate launch.


Indeed. Even we colonials recognize the limitations of our NTSB's
investigations into "low profile" accidents. :-)

OTOH, NTSB Final Cause reports on glider accidents *can* enhance one's
critical thinking skills, which isn't all bad for glider pilots...

Bob W.