Collision at West Bowl

[J Kiel]

Today was a great day for flying in SB, but it came very close to having a tragic outcome for two of our fellow pilots. There was a mid-air collision with one pilot (harness) crashing head-on into the canopy of an approaching pilot out front of west bowl, with only a marginal amount of ground clearance. From what I saw, there was a clear violation of right-of-way rules by the higher pilot.

As the lower glider horseshoed and wrapped up briefly on the higher pilot and his harness, my first thought was that I had just witnessed a very tragic accident from which a reserve throw was the only way tragedy might be avoided. Because the upper glider stayed somewhat inflated, as opposed to the one who was hit, I believe this allowed for the lower pilot to fall away from the initial collision and clear both pilots of the entanglement. As I was yelling for them to throw their reserves, the gliders miraculously separated and re-inflated rather quickly considering. The collapsed glider appeared to have a rather violent re-inflation (to be expected), while the other glider flew away with several twists towards the southwest. The pilot was backwards with respect to his glider’s direction of flight before correcting himself. Although they may have been too low for a reserve to fully deploy, to my astonishment, neither pilot made a move to throw their reserve.

Rather shaken from what I had just witnessed, plus having had an uncomfortably close encounter with one of the pilots earlier while thermaling (entered the thermal in a way that cut off my circle from below and put us rather close together), I decided it was in my best interest to leave the gaggle and go land. To my surprise, both pilots involved in the collision remained in the air for some time before deciding to leave for The T.

My take on the situation was that it was something that should have never occurred. The following are observations I made pertaining to this incident:

1. Clear violation of right-of-way rules between high and low pilots, and ridge rules (just above and near the east-west rock outcrop on west bowl).

2.No reserves! Although it worked out for both pilots to not throw, there is no way either could have made that judgment during the collision.

3.A decision to remain airborne. They most-certainly were shaken by this incident, which would likely impair their judgement.

4.A lack of understanding of the how to’s, and the do’s and don’ts of thermaling, and group flying by experienced and inexperienced pilots alike. Today, gaggles were very unorganized, with people flying in all directions with respect to the established direction. Ignorance breeds misfortune!

5.I recommend more thorough training and on-going discussions for all pilots on right-of-way (ROW) rules and thermaling etiquette. While discussing this incident at the LZ with an instructor and some other experienced pilots afterwards, it became evident there was uncertainty among the pilots experienced and not about the right-of-way rules and thermaling etiquette

6.My uncle, a long-time pilot and pioneer flying hang-gliders in SB always told me, “flying is 5% skill and 95% judgment, and if you have any doubt about what you’re doing as it pertains to the safety of yourself and other pilots, than you shouldn’t be doing it. There is no room for reckless and dangerous people in this sport, because it’s one tragic thing to kill yourself because of your own mistake, and another to involve someone else with that same mistake.”

Let’s use this fortunate outcome to a potentially tragic event as an opportunity to learn something and make changes to current standard operating procedures. Santa Barbara flying enthusiasts have maintained a good safety record to date. I, like everyone else, want to see that continue.

I did manage to capture the two pilots on video just prior to the accident. You can clearly see the impending accident. The collision itself is unfortunately not in the frame of the video. Regardless, I might try to put something together, which can be used as a teaching tool on ROW rules.

With all this said, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome any criticisms and suggestions others might have with respect to my own flying. Don’t be shy, I can handle it. Thanks, and hopefully we will all have a lot more happy and safe flying to come!

Justin Kiel, P-3

[brendanpegg]

I'll chime in. Not because I have much to add, but I was thermalling over West Bowl for about 40 minutes, and I was there when the collision occurred (but I didn't see it), so I'll just throw in my observations.

First, the conditions made gaggle flying challenging for everybody. The lift band was only about 300 feet and the triggers were scattered all over the top of West Bowl. That makes for a short, wide, stack with lots of intersecting circles. Add to that some less experienced pilots and a tandem wing that just wouldn't leave (me), and there are bound to be some conflicts.

I heard a lot of radio talk about etiquette and right-of-way rules, but from my perspective people were doing pretty good given the conditions. From what I saw, everyone turned right the entire time. I didn't see anyone turn left, even briefly. I joined, and left, thermals with obviously inexperienced pilots without a problem. I even cut the corner on a couple that I thought were turning a little too wide, and it all worked out fine.

The only "incident" I had was one pilot that appeared to be on a head-on course with me, displaying no intention of altering course. I yelled a little and pealed off to the right, and grumbled about it to my passenger, but all things considered, it wasn't a big deal. Had he been telegraphing a turn, or otherwise indicating that he knew I was there, I wouldn't have been worried at all.

I agree that it is a valuable exercise to discuss right of way rules and give some constructive feedback. I just hope this doesn't degenerate into a group bashing session against some pilots that are very likely doing their best to develop their skills. I'm sure that experiencing a mid-air, in itself, became an extremely effective (albeit regrettable) learning experience. Maybe that is enough on its own without all the second hand judgment from other pilots with their own gliders to fly?

[Ramey]

Re post by Kiel

"1. Clear violation of right-of-way rules between high and low pilots, and ridge rules (just above and near the east-west rock outcrop on west bowl)."

"4.A lack of understanding of the how to’s, and the do’s and don’ts of thermaling, and group flying by experienced and inexperienced pilots alike. Today, gaggles were very unorganized, with people flying in all directions with respect to the established direction. Ignorance breeds misfortune!"

My view is that there is wide spread ignorance of the right of way rules and/or a widespread practice of ignoring them - probably some of both. In 15 years I've personally seen a collision over the skypark and came within 3 feet of skewering a paraglider over the antenna farm which really shook me up. Also during this time there was a collision between paraglider and hang glider over west bowl that could very well have ended in tragedie.

"5.I recommend more thorough training and on-going discussions for all pilots on right-of-way (ROW) rules and thermaling etiquette. While discussing this incident at the LZ with an instructor and some other experienced pilots afterwards, it became evident there was uncertainty among the pilots experienced and not about the right-of-way rules and thermaling etiquette"

Hallelluya. I've tried to promote this years ago without success. I just could never get anyone convinced that addressing the problem was worth the risk of offending someone. I used to think it was just a paraglider problem. But I changed my mind when hearing one of our very best hangglider pilots lecturing a newer pilot on "ridge soaring rules" and he had it totally wrong. So now I've pretty much just given up and do whatever it takes to make sure I avoid any situation which requires knowledge of the rules on the part of some other party to avoid a conflict. Usually that means just bailing out if there are other pilots in too close to me.

Re bendanpegg's post.

"...and there are bound to be some conflicts."

This paragraph suggests that these problems are unavoidable and no one's fault. I couldn't disagree more. The rules are designed so that if followed by everyone, collisions cannot occur. In past incidences we've heard comments lile "It takes two to tango" and the like which also reflect this view. I'm sorry but this view is just wrong.

"...it all worked out fine."

aaaa - except for the fact that there was a collision.

"... but all things considered, it wasn't a big deal."

Hmmm - it would have been a big deal for me.

" I'm sure that experiencing a mid-air, in itself, became an extremely effective (albeit regrettable) learning experience. "

LOL - well, it's only a learning experience if you don't die.

Maybe that is enough on its own without all the second hand judgment from other pilots with their own gliders to fly?:

It's clearly not working - feel free to suggest a better solution.

I believe that our instructors have let us down here. Right of way rules are on the written tests. How can else can someone be a P3/H3 flying in the mountains and not know the rules or not realize why they are essential for avoiding collisions?

Of course, it's not only the instructors, older/more experienced pilots are also ignorant of or blase about the rules.

I guess it's obvious that I strongly disagree with what I see is the "lack of concern" as reflected in this post. I realize that not everyone will agree with my assessment regarding the seriousness of the situation - but we'll just have to disagree on that.

Robert Ramey

[andy dainsberg]

ok, who can post a really simple, easily readable right of way description that all new/old/pg/hg pilots can dig?

[Chris G]

1) The pilot with the ridge on their right has the right of way. Other pilots must yield to the outside.
2) The lower pilot has the right of way. Especially important when hang gliders are involved because upward visibility is low. They can't see you!
3) When passing another pilot on a ridge, pass to the inside so that you don't trap them against the ridge.
4) The first pilot in a thermal sets the turn direction.
5) When joining another pilot in a thermal, join tangentially to their circle to avoid the "Bowling Pin" effect.
6) When two pilots are converging on a point, the pilot on the right has the right of way.
7) When overtaking a pilot away from a ridge pass on their right.
8) Pilots conducting maneuvers give right of way to everyone.

[GeoW]

I was the lower pilot involved in the collision over westbowl. I am a P3 with 30 hours of airtime (almost all in thermals, largely at Marshall and Crestline).

I had been thermalling for an hour and a half around westbowl in reasonably heavy traffic. I came out of a turn and was heading straight west in front of westbowl. I had about 200 or 300 feet of ground clearance. I saw a glider well ahead of me turn right and come on to a collision course. There was plenty of separation, and I assumed he would continue his turn (a very bad mistake). I was perhaps somewhat fatigued by this time, and was focussed on reaching the second spine for some lift. We were closing fast, and by the time it registered that we were still on a collision course, I did not feel I had time to initiate a right turn. I had enough altitude to do this, but in the back of my mind I did not really want to turn toward the terrain. As the gliders approached, I had some hope he would clear the top of my wing.

When we collided, I did not look up at all; I just dropped the brakes and started looking for my reserve handle. I was getting thrown around quite a bit and could not find it (I was looking too far forward). I was getting very close to the ground, and felt my efforts might be of more use in trying to control how I hit the ground. I was swinging quite a bit and not decending as rapidly as I expected, so it immediately occurred to me that the gliders had separated and my wing had reinflated. I grabbed the brakes and flew off the west edge of the spine. My recollection is that I had 20 feet of clearance on the ridge face.

I flew around in front and thermalled back up. Yes, I was very freaked out, but I used this time to settle down and try to relax and reconsider. If I had immediately landed, perhaps I would have second thoughts about ever flying again.

I know the right of way rules. In spite of the fact that I may have had the right of way here, I feel equally responsible for the collision. We enjoy a sport where things can happen very fast, and just a moments inattention can be possibly fatal. We were both very, very lucky here.

[andy dainsberg]

nice post geo. chris, great summary; can u (hang glider pilots too) expand a little on point 5~ how exactly should a paraglider pilot approach a hang glider, already thermalling at the same altitude?

[Chris G]

When merging with any other pilots it's probably more important to make eye contact than anything else. Then you know that they know you're there. When merging with HG pilots I usually treat them like rattlesnakes. If you surprise them they'll bite you and they're more afraid of you than you are of them...;P

[Bo Criss]

One good trick to consider:

Every single flight, when you are in a safe flying area (away from launch, no traffic, etc.) touch your reserve handle once. This will create muscle memory for the time you need it most.

Excellent write ups by everyone – I think everyone is showing great concern for an important topic.

Another good trick:

Check your reserve pin before you put your harness on EVERY TIME !

If you don't feel like you got good information from your instructor on reserves - now is the time to seek out better information !!! Maybe you were asleep that day, maybe your instructor didn't cover it, none of that matters - you are the pilot and you need to operate your aircraft properly.

[tom mayer]

I do not have the advantage of having witnessed this incident first hand, and it seems that no one other than the two pilots directly involved have a better understanding of what happened, why it happened or how they responded. So indulge in yet another " I wasn't there but I have an opinion" post. First off, the lower pilot has related that he was not in a thermalling maneuver and was heading in a due West flight path in level flight. This being the case, the lower pilot always has right of way, and it does not appear that directional movement or ridge rule applied, simply, give way to the lower pilot. The situation does however give rise to the fact that both pilots could see that the impending situation was not looking good, yet no apparent evasive action was instituted by either pilot in the form of rapid decent by the lower pilot (who gives a shit about who has the right of way, save your ass is a good call) or a turn and avoid action by the "offending" pilot. "Did you hear about the two dead pilots were in heaven arguing over who's fault it was" is the start of a bad joke. As I recall from my FAA training, see and avoid is the rule, then let's worry about right of way. Secondly, armchair judges only make things worse. They usually convict the wrong guy but still feel righteous over their actions. The credit goes to both pilots for doing what the FAA also teaches in the event of a bad situation, "fly the aircraft" first. I believe that the victim chose wisely to fly the aircraft, survey the situation and respond, he did, regained his composure and put all but the lesson behind him. If while flying you encounter something that freaks you out so badly that you need to land NOW, you should consider lawn bowling instead. Lastly, let's stop and consider the state of affairs that we have here in Santa Barbara, potentially crowded airspace, a mix of experienced and novice pilots, a mix of high speed death machines (hang-gliders) and panties with strings (parapentes). We fly our hang gliders around at 40 mph around paras who dawdle around at about 2 mph and things can get dicey no matter who has the right of way. It's like driving a Pinto at Indianapolis! I agree with Ramey ( that doesn't happen often!) this is a must topic for the first Thursday of December!

[andy dainsberg]

i know, no matter the ROW, shit happens. For me personally (dangerously assuming a typical paraglider trajectory), whats the best way for me to paraglide into an occupied hg thermal? Bob A? Southside?

[Chris G]

The best analogy is to merge into it the way you would at a roundabout. But eye contact first.

Bo: Another good trick we've been using at The Point is to assume everyone is trying to kill you. It's amazing how much more aware of other pilots we are when we make that assumption..;)

[Tony Deleo]

In a "mid" air collision it is "both" pilots fault. Paragliders if we are thermalling together please let the ATOS come thru-I thermal the glider at anywhere between 25-33 mph and the visability upward is marginal.

[tom mayer]

Chris, you win this post string!!! That's the best advice no matter what your wing is, always assume the other guy is going to kill you! I will forever have that in my mind when flying. As a matter of fact, I am going to try to rig a 50 cal. machine gun on my glider, it's lock and load time! Seriously, defensive driving, defensive flying it's all the same, make it home for dinner.

[Ramey]

a) Chris's recitation of the right of way rules is just what is needed. I would like to see this prepared as a page and placed in a hard to miss area of the web site. Also, it would be helpful if some small diagrams were included - especially for the ridge soaring / overtaking / head on / etc cases. I would like to see it formatted so that it could easily be printed out on a single page. I didn't understand point 5 and "bowling pin" though.

b) It is my strongly held believe that if all parties follow the right of way rules, no collisions can occur.

c) It follows from the above that I believe that any collision has to mean that at least one pilot failed to follow these rules. If someone can propose a scenario where a collision could occur while both parties are following the rules, I would be curious to hear about it.

d) I believe that statement "In a "mid" air collision it is "both" pilots fault." is false.

e) The view (paraphrasing) "In a serious incident - it doesn't matter who's at fault" to me it is an attempt to relieve someone of the responsibility for creating the incident. Of course it doesn't matter who's at fault now that the incident is over. But it is important that that all pilots accept responsibility for respecting the rules which should avoid this kind of tragedy. To say "**** happens" - it's no one's fault" - doesn't cut it with me. How is that going to help when someone causes a crash which leaves the other guy paralyzed. Do I just have to accept that someone will just ignore the rules and I have to suffer the consequences?.

Anyway - a very productive discussion. I hope something positive comes out of it.

Robert Ramey