Some gliders safer than others?

On Thursday, October 24, 2013 4:48:16 PM UTC-5, son_of_flubber wrote:

I only have anecdotes wrt survivability of 2-33 crashes, but your anecdote seems pretty favorable. I'd be happy to simply break an ankle and hop away from the front seat of a stalled and crashed glider.

It wasn't a stall spin, it was a full-stalled hard landing (launched into a dust devil and released early, then full aft stick until impact in the desert - by a commercial pilot giving a ride, no less. Amazingly poor airmanship!).

But without data of other similar events in other types of gliders, all our comments are just opinions. It could be that the 2-33 is the safest method of transportation known to man, but I "personally" doubt it.

I do find it amusing that one of the first defenses raised whenever the 2-33 is discussed is that "it's the safest glider to crash in!". Wow - that sure makes me want to jump in one! No thank you - I prefer gliders that let you avoid a crash - since apparently 2-33s are poor in that respect!

And since the NTSB reports show that you CAN get killed in a 2-33, despite it's low approach speed, spin resistance, and sturdy structure (?!), maybe it's fabled crash safety is just an urban myth.

Prove me wrong; I would love to see data to that effect.

Heck, now I'm going to have to fly our club's 2-33 this weekend just for kicks...you know, living on the edge and all...

Cheers,

Kirk
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Kirk