On Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at 12:59:11 PM UTC-7, Ramy wrote:
On Monday, September 3, 2018 at 5:14:34 PM UTC-7, Ron Gleason wrote:
On Monday, 3 September 2018 17:04:24 UTC-6, Steve Koerner wrote:
Checking sailplane tracker, there are no gliders indicated that go missing yesterday in that area. Yesterday was obviously a strong soaring day with good altitudes based on the great flights out of Truckee and Minden. So it makes no sense that a cross country sailplane would have any reason to be on the face of Slide Mountain early in the day and especially not doing loops there as suggested by the witness on the news show. I guess we'll find out soon enough.

Steve and others, I received this from the Soar Truckee Yahoo Groups 45 minutes ago. Tragic. If it is in appropriate I will remove but it was sent via a public group

Dear TTSA-Soar Truckee Pilots and Family


It is with deep sorrow that I confirm the passing of Sergio Colacevich and Jim Alton in the crash of Sergio’s and Mike Mayo’s Duo Discus yesterday. We have no details of the how or why, only the result, which took place Saturday September 2nd near the base of Slide Mountain in rugged terrain.

We are maintaining constant contact with Amy Colacevich and Millie Alton (who is at the glider port). We will provide updates as they become known..

Please keep both our dear friends in your hearts and prayers.

Richard Pearl
Vice President, TTSA

Many of us who knew Sergio and Jim are devastated. I lost 2 friend this weekend. We dont know much but we do know it was not due to aerobatics or engine restart as I've seen in the news.
They were last seen at 14K over Mount Rose few minutes before they were observed 5 miles east at around 9500 feet when the glider broke apart either due to flutter or high G. From Mt Rose they were suppose to go west to start the task as it was a local contest day. So we know they had no reason to dive 5 miles east and do acro. Neither of them was known to do acro, especially not low in the mountains and during a contest. What was observed by the witnesses is a glider out of control at its final stage before breaking up in the air which can certainly look like aerobatics. Similarly they had no reason to try an airstart high over the mountains. The flutter noise may have sounded like a motor.
That's all we know and I doubt we will ever know more as the fire consumed the glider.
My deep condolences to the families and all of us who will miss them.
This had been the worst year for glider accidents since I started flying 20 years ago.

Ramy

Thanks for some context Ramy.

I am profoundly sad to lose my friends like this. My deepest sympathies to all who knew and cared about them and particularly to their families.

Andy Blackburn
9B