15m task cancelled in WGC

While most were on final leg. Hope it isn't same reason as in WGC Uvalde.

On Friday, January 13, 2017 at 10:57:17 PM UTC-7, Dan Daly wrote:
While most were on final leg. Hope it isn't same reason as in WGC Uvalde.

@WGC2017Benalla
Following a midair collision between two 15M Class gliders, both pilots bailed out and both are confirmed safe on the ground. IDs to follow.

"Due to a midair collision while on task between two gliders in the 15 M Class, the day for 15 M has been cancelled. The pilots involved are Stehpen O'Donnell from Australia and Michale Eisele from Germany. The accident is being investigated and we will issue more information as soon as we are able to."

On Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 10:55:09 AM UTC+3, Chris Wedgwood wrote:
"Due to a midair collision while on task between two gliders in the 15 M Class, the day for 15 M has been cancelled. The pilots involved are Stehpen O'Donnell from Australia and Michale Eisele from Germany. The accident is being investigated and we will issue more information as soon as we are able to."

What does cancelling the task achieve at that point? Horse. Stable.

It's not like there's a race track that needs to be cleaned up, or any danger of someone else crashing into the wrecks on the ground while they are being recovered.

On Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 9:41:10 AM UTC+1, Bruce Hoult wrote:
On Saturday, January 14, 2017 at 10:55:09 AM UTC+3, Chris Wedgwood wrote:
"Due to a midair collision while on task between two gliders in the 15 M Class, the day for 15 M has been cancelled. The pilots involved are Stehpen O'Donnell from Australia and Michale Eisele from Germany. The accident is being investigated and we will issue more information as soon as we are able to."

What does cancelling the task achieve at that point? Horse. Stable.

It's not like there's a race track that needs to be cleaned up, or any danger of someone else crashing into the wrecks on the ground while they are being recovered.

In the chat of the live tracking it was said that some other pilots landed to assist. That's a great spirit, and should not be penalised by losing points.

On Saturday, 14 January 2017 10:41:10 UTC+2, Bruce Hoult wrote:

What does cancelling the task achieve at that point? Horse. Stable.

It's not like there's a race track that needs to be cleaned up, or any danger of someone else crashing into the wrecks on the ground while they are being recovered.

I have witnessed a fatal mid-air in competition, right in front of my eyes. Couple of observations of pilot behavior:

1) I did not even once think about continuing the task, instead I stayed over accident site to assist search and co-ordinate rescue with ATC.

2) Paradoxically, most of pilots (there was a huge gaggle, as usual) did not even think about abandoning task and head back home, even after seeing or hearing what happened. They flew the task after accident. It was fruitless of course, day is always cancelled.

In that sense, it is very wise for organisation to cancel the day right after hearing about mid-air and inform team captains immediately. It will be cancelled no matter what, even one pilot have made one extra turn because of mid-air. You have ZERO arguments against protest made on basis that pilot stayed at accident site to assist.

But as I said in other thread, competitions and mid-airs is routine we live with. It is quite simply unbearable.

I remember a contest day canceled after a fatal accident on the Whites (Bishop, Ca) Chuck Fisher landed and hiked up there to no avail.........seem to remember a contestant protesting all the way to the SSA board and won the protest!
Gary, do I have this right?
JJ

I just noticed that Stephen ODonnell had posted cockpit video to the web. I wonder if the video from day four were able to be recovered. It would be interesting to see the video coupled with the flight recorder data.

At 15:05 15 January 2017, Tim Taylor wrote:
I just noticed that Stephen ODonnell had posted cockpit video to the web.

I wonder if the video from day four were able to be recovered. It would
be
interesting to see the video coupled with the flight recorder data.

When you start directing a video you stop being pilot. QED.