Crunch Alert (USA) - hugely serious but (apparently) non-fatal

On Wednesday, May 2, 2012 7:24:51 AM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
OUTSTANDING description, Mark. Kudos for Angel's description and your
reporting!


"Mark Mocho" wrote in message
...
I spoke to Angel Pala this morning. I have been asked to clear up some
misconceptions and incorrect assumptions floating around.

Angel reported that he was thermalling northeast of Moriarty at around
11,300 msl. He was pushing on the rudder pedals (probably fairly hard
as we do occasionally in strong conditions) when there was a "snap"
and both rudder pedals went forward on the adjustment/positioning rod.
He attempted to pull them back using the adjustment cable, but there
was no tension felt, either on the spring or the rudder slider. The
aircraft rudder deflected and put the glider into a right turn. THERE
WAS NO "INVERTED FLAT SPIN" as previously reported. The glider started
descending in a right turn. Angel attempted to control the turn by
using opposite aileron (slip) but control was insufficient to maintain
direction.

Terrain below was far too rugged to attempt to land with minimal
control, so he decided to exit the aircraft with plenty of altitude.
Angel is a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran with Jumpmaster
qualifications and 90+ jumps, so he wasn't exactly unfamiliar with
parachuting under stressful conditions. He mistakenly disconnected his
seat belts prior to jettisoning the canopy, and was outside looking in
very quickly. He described "floating along next to his aircraft" as a
very weird "surreal" feeling. The glider maintained a fairly flat
right turn as Angel pulled the ripcord. His chute, a ParaPhernalia
"Softie" had been repacked at the factory only a month prior to the
incident. He said the D-ring only extended a few inches before the
canopy deployed from the container. The opening was "heavier" than he
expected (i.e., very rapid) with a harsh opening shock. Angel said
that the opening was so quick tthat a 400 ft. altitude would have been
sufficient, and this is from one who had experience with HALO (High
Altitude Low Opening) jumps.

As he descended under canopy, he had difficulty reaching the steering
toggles. Whether their position was out of reach due to misadjustment
of the harness or the air stream had taken them off their stowed
position has not been determined. Angel used the risers to effect some
directional control. He was able to observe that the glider continued
to the ground in a stable, flat right turn. It impacted the ground
"relatively intact" as he described it. He even heard the impact
before he landed himself.

Realiozing that he would have to hike out, Angel concentrated on
protecting his lower extremities as much as possible, electing to land
in a relaxed PLF rather than attempt to run out the landing. Windy
conditions dragged him briefly before he was able to collapse the
canopy and release the harness. He gathered the canopy and hiked four
miles before getting a ride directly to a hospital in Santa Fe. He
called several people at Moriarty to give basic "I'm OK" messages. He
told me today with some chagrin that his "SPOT" messenger is safe in
his hangar.

He underwent an MRI and other tests, spent the night and was released
on Monday. Billy Hill picked him up and took him back to his home in
Taos. Injuries were relatively minor, with substantial bruising and
some tendon strain to his left shoulder, cuts and scrapes and some
mouth cuts, but he will make a full recovery.

Knowing Angel's sense of humor, we just had to ask some "sensitive"
questions. He reports that a normal catheter stays on, but will fail
under tension loads at the outlet. Good to know.

The FAA and NTSB have been notified and investigations are underway.
The glider will most likely be removed by a professional aircraft
recovery company. It may need to be removed by helcopter to a place
nearby with road access, as there isn't a way to get a vehicle and
trailer to the site. One Sheriff's Deputy who reached the site said
there is about a 75-100 foot bluff between the glider and the nearest
road. He described the trek up the bluff as "a real hump."

Once the aircraft has been recovered and inspected, more information
about the cause of the accident will be released. Until then, it is
inadvisable to speculate.

The Jonker representative and the factory have been in contact with
Angel, and there are no recriminations. Leo Bennetti-Longhini reprts
that Angel is being a true gentleman about the situation and Jonker
will do whatever is needed to identify the cause and effect a
solution. JS-1 owners have been notified of the situation.

I second that. This is the kind of accident reports we need to be able to understand better and learn - detailed and timely, vs NTSB reports which may take long time and typically have no details or worse, incorrect information.
And since the LAK17 was also mentioned in this thread, I would add that I heard of another LAK17 rudder cable disconnect, luckily after touch down, but if I recall correct this was a replacement cable and not factory cable.

I think the obvious lessons so far is to always inspect your glider as much as possible, and of course always fly with parachute!

Ramy