On Friday, April 11, 2014 11:02:12 AM UTC-6, wrote:
Most, if not all, the cited incidents involve unintentional touching/interfering with the controls. I'd like see to one or two where the probable cause of the accident was "failure of the PIC to control the aircraft as a result of his allowing a passenger to manipulate the controls" or similar FAA lingo.



That one Frank links to is weird.

We fly within several constraints. There are additional constraints due to organizing as a club or chapter. Insurance requirements are but one. Within this framework there are requirements and limits imposed by the FAA, IRS, state and local statutes, and organizing documents (articles and by-laws). At the outset, some appear to be nonsensical. A few are contradictory and actually AOPA has the lead in seeking a change in an FAA Order which may offer the opportunity to amend the organizing documents of some SSA clubs and chapters. I have no idea why the explicit 'sole manipulator' phraseology is specified. It may be unique to the club insurance offered. It may have originated from other aviation activities and is not unique to gliding insurance. I don't fly power, so am not involved with other insurances. If there is a case for striking this clause, let's hear it. Discuss it with the Soaring Safety Foundation and SSA directors and see if there is a consensus for doing so that would allow it to be broached to the underwriter. Our broker has undertaken similar initiatives in his representation to us. SSA clubs and chapters insured under the group plan are buying club insurance. AFAIK, clubs and chapters using other underwriters are not buying club insurance, but commercial insurance and the coverage varies in subtle and sometimes important ways.

That weird link is to a situation where a person who should not have been in the A/C's seat may have actually contributed to the accident. I recall the accident as I wore a SAC hat in those days. That EC-135 was SAC's East Auxiliary Airborne Command Post and they were rather more expensive than the KC-135. Scuttlebutt at the time was that she was actually flying the bird. However, if you don't think that accident had an impact on several policies, you'd be mistaken. It wasn't unlike the F-16D incentive flights at Incirlik for outstanding airmen that abruptly ended permanently when the pilot and an NCO splashed into the Med.

Changes in insurance plans, club rules, and airport operations usually result from reaction to a gap that was unforeseen and someone flew into it, probably with bad or at least uncomfortable results for some involved party. If you race in SSA sanctioned contests, you'll know that the entry release has changed for exactly that reason.

We have a vehicle, it's a matter of using the right tool for the right job. It may be possible to add to that tool kit.

FW