Schleicher cockpit

I believe there was a stall/spin into trees in the "bowl" near Newcastle, VA decades ago. The ship (ASW-24?) went almost straight into trees, ending up upside down with the nose between 2 rocks. Skinny pilot wiggled out through the broken canopy and walked down a hill to a road.
Cuts and bruises, otherwise fine. Since cockpit didn't collapse, he got out..

I have seen a number of ships that "eggshelled" with a lower frontal impact that usually exploded the canopy and injured from hips and down.

I bought my ASW 24 in 1992 based in part on photos of one that had clobbered a ridge at Mifflin. Pilot walked away.

It cost more than the Discus for no better performance but I was happy to pay.

Haven't tested the cockpit. But the landing gear is also a marvelous design with shock absorption and progressive failure in mind that did come in handy when I hit a rock just after touchdown.

Kudos to Gerhard for his work in safer gliders that also fly and perform great.

Chip Bearden
JB