Two die in Glider mid-air

A PowerFlarm might have prevented this accident. I am getting one.

Mike Green

On 9/6/2011 7:40 PM, Brad wrote:
On Sep 6, 3:47 pm, Walt ConnellyWalt.Connelly.
wrote:
There appears to be some disagreement with the comments that this
collision occurred in a thermal. Found the following comments online
regarding this accident.

From Fun Junkie:

This was a tragic ACCIDENT, nothing more. Having reviewed the gps logs
of each gliders flight path and the video of the collision, there are
two things that need to be cleared up.

First, neither glider was in a thermal so the discussions about that are
pointless.

Second, neither glider was "show boating" or doing anything unsafe at
the time of the collision, or prior to it.

They were simply flying in an area they knew very well and have flown
hundreds of times before. On this particular flight they happened to be
flying in the same geographical area but approaching from opposite
directions. Both gliders were in essentially level flight and at the
same altitude. For whatever reason... they simply did not see each other
in sufficient time to avoid a collision. Gliders approaching each other
at the same altitude are very difficult to see and close on each other
very quickly. As a friend and fellow pilot of both Keith and Ray, I will
miss them dearly and offer my sincerest condolences to their families
and friends. This was simply a very tragic accident between two pilots
who took flying safety very seriously.

End of comments

Amazing how often the facts of the case take a long time to become
clear. The idea that they were not in a thermal makes more sense to
me.

Walt

--
Walt Connelly

quite frankly this is what really scares the **** out of me, and
pardon my french...................but I can't tell you how many times
I've lost track of my flying buddies only to have them appear where I
did not expect them. and this is with constant radio contact and
position reports.

anyone that tells you a proper scan will always save the day is
dreaming.................it will work until the day it doesn't and
then dog help us.

Brad