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Old January 2nd 18, 04:52 PM posted to rec.aviation.soaring
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Default Seminole Lake Accident

As a teen absorbing everything I could about soaring, George Moffat became a hero of mine. Years later, after lying to the owner of SLG (Knut) to fly in my first contest (2003 Seniors), we had adjoining rooms and I invited him to join my wife and I for dinner after a practice day. He accepted to my delight because later he would give a complete detailed account of......completing his return to earth by crashing into and remaining in a tree some 20' above the ground while on final approach. He struck lt off as an 'incompetent bad break'. Later , in between writing boring English literature (sorry George!), he would become 2 time World Champion .
My point is how is the pilot doing who suffered the accident? Rich, tell the pilot to pay the bill, wipe off the dust, and get back in the cockpit. If a World Champion and many others had to crash to get better, well hell it's part aviation. Any landing you and observers can walk away from is a good landing, right?
Accidents happen, but embarrassment lingers. Encouragement is our duty.

R