Speed-Riding/Speed-Flying Fatality List
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Sébastien Gay - 30th December 2006
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: Switzerland, Verbier
CoD: Crashed into rocks
Glider: ??? - ??m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
The incident happened near Verbier’s ski-domain in the Creublet region. 28 year old Sébastien crashed against a rock. He was heliported to hospital, in Sion, where he later died from his injuries. Geraldine, his wife witness the accident.
www:
http://www.tsr.ch
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Mathias Roten - 7th March 2008
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: Switzerland, Lötschental, Hockenhorngrat
CoD: Equipment failure (?)
Glider: Prototype - ??m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
Matias Roten [29] having only flown the new Prototype glider a few times attempted to launch from
Hockenhorngrat, but it is believed the prototype glider he was testing failed to fully inflate correctly on launch resulting in him falling to his death when he reach the steep gully. No-one witnessed the accident.
www:
http://www.blick.ch
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Petko Dimitre Petkov - 20th June 2008
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Bulgaria, ?
CoD: Ground Impact
Glider: ??? - ?? m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
A Bulgarian pilot, while flying a micro glider lost control of his glider after flying into turbulance. The extremely dynamic responses to disturbances of the glider caused the glider to collapse and spiral into the ground.
www:
http://www.dhv.de
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Patrick Noti - 6th November 2008
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Switzerland, Murren: 46”33’28 / 7”53’43
CoD: Crashed into trees
Glider: Swing Savage 10m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
Patrick and his friend were the whole day flying from Muerren to Stechelberg. They were testing the Swing Savage 10m wing and comparing to the Paratech 11m. They did not take off on the regular speedflying take off at the mast of the transport cable car. They used the Acro-Takeoff called “Tennisplatz”, which is a nice steep, but short grassy field. It ends in evergreen trees, where you have to fly over. With a paraglider no problem, on a speedriding glider limit to impossible. Patrick had already taken off 7 times this day, never with a problem. On the last flight at 6 o’clock in the evening, Patrick didn’t make it over the trees anymore. It is believed he hit a tree partially but didn`t get stuck in it and then fell over the next cliff which is about 30m high. He came to rest on the place where the via ferrata is going trough. His friend, who took off first said there was no tailwind on take off. It is now believed that Patrick forgot to close the trimmers on the back risers, because they were found open after the rescue. It is very uncertain that Patrick opened them right after take off, because there is only 2 seconds from take off to the trees. The trimmers were 8cm on this glider, what results in a lot more take off space and a poor glide.
www:
http://www.nachrichten.ch
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Patrick Itschner - 28th January 2009
Activity: Speed-Riding (Snowkiting with a speedglider)
Location: Switzerland, Jura, La Corbatiere: 47”04’10 / 6”50’26
CoD: Object Impact
Glider: Swing Savage 12m²
Wingload: 7.0 kg/m²
Description:
Patrick [28] was joining a 4 days speedriding course from a paragliding school (already a licensed skydiver). On the second day, there was stormy weather, so they didn`t even try to go up the mountain. Instead they searched for a place to kite their wings in the flatland. They found a place in the Jura, called la Corbatiere. A huge flat snowfield with constant wind around 20km/h. Rather not enough to kite, then too much. Suddenly the whole group was hit by a unbelievable strong wind gust, which must have exceeded 80km/h. Some people were picked up in the air a few meters, others only dragged away. Patrick got picked up around one Meter and then got dragged very fast into a trailer which was standing on the near parking place. He then lost consciousness and was transported to hospital, where he died 3 days later. Patrick was wearing a helmet and a back protector… but still suffered a broken spine, head & internal injuries.
www:
http://www.shv-fsvl.ch
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David Deloche - 3rd February 2009
Activity: Speed-Riding / Speed-Flying
Location: France, La Clusaz
CoD: ???
Glider: make - size m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
David Deloche [35] from Grand-Bornand, was found dead after a dramatic speed riding accident having had a fall of at least 250 m. He took off around noon from the Couloir des Croix, above l'Aiguille des Calvaires (2300 m). As required by the regulations, he moved off-piste. Speed riders must fly 100 meters over cable lifts and 50 meters off groomed piste. What is known is that hikers found his body around 14h 30, at the bottom of the Couloir, at 1800 meters.
www:
http://www.ledauphine.com
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Simon Ruetti - 13th March 2009
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: Switzerland, Engleberg
CoD: ???
Glider: ??? - ?? m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
On Friday afternoon, Simon Ruetti [23] was killed in the Titlis region. The man was found dead in the evening after a search operation. He had previously completed several flights with a companion, but after the last flight he didn't arrive at the agreed upon landing site.
www:
http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch
http://www.24heures.ch
http://www.ruettisurf.ch
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Manuel Muerner - 14th March 2009
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: Switzerland, Les Diablerets: 46”19’54 / 7”12’1
CoD: Crashed into rocks
Glider: Paratech P180 - 9m²
Wingload: 11.1 kg/m²
Description:
Manuel Muerner [36], crashed after flying too close to rocks on the Diablerets glacier. He died at the accident site. Manuel was known as being a very carefull and responsible pilot and kitesurfer. He was speedriding with a friend at the ski resort Les Diablerets on a east facing slope up on 3000m. There was westwind blowing at around 30 Km/h. So they were clearly flying in a nasty leeside wind. No one witnessed the accident, except for analysis from his helmet camera. It is believed that Manuel got dropped from the moving air in the leeside while he was doing a 90° hook turn. He touched the snow to hard, his glider collapsed and he fell. The Impact didn`t seem hard in the snow. Video stopped here. He must now have been sliding down the steep snowface for a few hundred meters, over big cliffs, which is what probably killed him.
www:
http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch
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Max Schivari - 17th May 2009
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: Cordillera Blanca, Peru
CoD: Ground Impact
Glider: Gin Nano - 14m² ?
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
Max Schivari [36] crashed about 5000 meters up the slopes of Vallunaraju - After take off he rose up in the air, before his canopy stalled. He could do nothing and fell about 100 meters down into the rocks below. The 5 other members of the expedition: Luca Gardin, Sebastian Günther Mayr, Thomas Immelmann, Cristoph Vonmetz & Guido Trevisan immediately rendered first aid and was taken to hospital, where they could do nothing against the gross violations, Max died in hospital in Huaraz.
www:
http://www.stol.it
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Yuan Hong Li - 24th May 2009
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: Aiguille du Midi
CoD: ???
Glider: ??? - ?? m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
Yuan Hong Li [48] died on Sunday, following a speed riding accident on the Aiguille du Midi. He took off from the ridge above the Frendo spur and flew.... It was his friends who had alerted the PGHM Chamonix, late Sunday afternoon, anxious not to see him return. PGHM conducted a reconnaissance flight to find the speed rider. His body lifeless at the foot of the north face of the Aiguille du Midi. "He probably made a wrong manoeuvre halfway down and struck the face" said a rescuer of PGHM.
www:
http://www.skimb.com
http://yuanhongliblog.blogspot.com
http://www.chamonix.net
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Philippe Menetrey - 8th September 2009
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: Switzerland, Salève:
CoD: Crashed into trees
Glider: ??? - ?? m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
Philippe Menetrey [48] a very experienced paragliding pilot (20 years) died from the consequences of a Speed-flying accident. Philippe took off on the evening of 8 September on the Salève - not far from the cable car. It was not until the following evening at 19:30 the railway staff spotted him motionless lying there on his glider in the trees.
www:
http://www.shv-fsvl.ch
http://www.lemessager.fr
http://www.black-blue-design.ch
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Christoph Eidinger - 5th October 2009
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: Austria, Five Fingers" on Krippenstein
CoD: Crashed into trees
Glider: Gin Nano 2008 - 10m²
Wingload: 9 kg/m²
Description:
Christoph Eidinger [32] took off just after 16:00 from the so-called "Five Fingers" on Krippenstein (approx. 2040m). With his "Speed ??glider" in very windy, turbulent conditions. At 21:30 when he still had not arrived home in Ebensee, his parents alerted the police. He was found found early the following morning at about 1550 meters. Christopher hit a tree before he fell to the ground.
www:
http://www.nachrichten.at
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Nicolas Kalin - 11th October 2009
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Switzerland, Lauterbrunnen: 46”33’26 / 7”54’06
CoD: Object Impact (Overhead cables) / cardiac arrest
Glider: Swing Spitfire - 7m² Prototype
Wingload: 12.2 kg/m²
Description:
Nicolas Kalin [21] was speedflying from Muerren to Stechelberg with his friends on that Sunday. A flight he did many times before. The only difficult thing on the flight is the take off, which he did fine, his friends said, who took off after him. Nicolas was the first time using a helmet camera from his brother. It was also his first flight on the new prototype glider, which he also borrowed from his brother. He had rided and footlaunched another 7m2 prototype from his brother before, without telling him. So he is probably the first person ever to footlaunch a such a small wing. After take off he flew along the famous cliffs of Mürren. He then separated himself from the wall to glide to the landing zone with enough altitude for a high speed landing. He must have realized to have to much altitude for a 180° Hookturn landing, so he probably choose to fly another barrel role, which he loved to fly. This is when he got twisted. It is believed that he didn`t spin the glider, because he was a good pilot. It is more likely he got twistet as he entered the barrel role, because the glider turned so fast, that his body couldn`t follow the movement and got twisted. It is important here to understand that a 7m2 wing has really short line and is very reactive and twichy to fly with such a high wingload! One has never flew this wing, will never understand how aggressive this wing is. It turns already as you turn your head… If you give it a kick with your leg and a strong input with the brake to enter the barrel role, it is very import to actively follow the gliders movement on this particular glider. Nicolas glider probably started turning then because of an unequal position in the harness, due to the linetwist. Nicolas was then seen spiraling down, without any reaction to stop it. He was unlucky to be straight over the only powerline in the valley, instead over the forest next to it. He must have hit the powerline with a lot of speed. Due to the fact it is a small powerline there, the wires are close together. This made it possible that his body did a short circuit with two wires. He was flying with the normal speedflying equipment, without a reserve parachute. This would most likely have saved his life. He received severe burnings from powerlines, and later died of a cardiac arrest in hospital. Nicolas was rather a scared person, than someone to push the limits. He didn`t like taking risks and always tried to not get hurt when doing sports. But he probably underestimated the risks of that sport, because he was still very young. Speedflying and Speedriding is probably a lot more dangerous when you are young! Nicolas left behind a lot of friends suffering, also a beautiful young woman; his girlfriend. His death let the local speedflying community change forever.
www:
http://www.jungfrauzeitung.ch
http://www.speedflying-interlaken.ch
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??? - 28th December 2009
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: Switzerland, Obersaxen, Piz Mundaun
CoD: Crashed into a rock wall
Glider: ??? - ?? m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
On Monday afternoon in Obersaxen area a Speedflyer was killed. He first started as a group of four pilots from Piz Mundaun. Shortly after starting his glider remained hanging from a ledge after the 26-year-old crashed into a rock wall which followed what is thought, a collision with the ropeways just after launch. He then fell about 200 feet down a steep and icy slope. Despite immediate resuscitation attempts by a third person and the mountain rescue service, the pilot couldn't be saved.
www:
http://www.onz.ch
http://www.nzz.ch
http://www.gr.ch
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??? - 12th March 2010
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: France, La Plagne - Roche de Mio
CoD: Ground Impact
Glider: ??? - ?? m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
On the afternoon of Friday 12th March a young man was tragically killed whilst speed riding with friends near La Plagne. The group of friends were speed riding off the top of the Roche de Mio down to Montchavin Les Coches when at around 1pm one of the men struck the ground hard in the Dérochoir couloir. He hit the mountain just after taking off and fell around 100m, colliding with rocks along the way. First aid was given at the scene, before he was transported to Moutiers Hospital via helicopter. Unfortunately he died of his injuries en route. Although the Roche de Mio is not a designated speed-riding site, some people do take off from this area. The official Speedriding zone is an area in the Vercors sector.
www:
http://www.laplagnet.com/
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David Ogison - 10th June 2010
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Otay Lakes, USA
CoD: Ground Impact
Glider: Aerodyne Pilot 150 - 14m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
David Ogison [32] went up the mountain by himself in not ideal conditions, most of the usual ground launching crew were not around. An observer from the DZ saw him trying to ground-launch a skydiving parachute. He had a few failed attempts. He got lift and was in full fight. The observer stated that he had plenty of lift and altitude and then saw a hard 180 before crashing into a ravine on the mountain, he was dead on impact. His body was finally found by rescue crews northeast of a gliderport on Otay Mesa Road near Otay Mountain Truck Trail.
www:
http://www.signonsandiego.com
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Gary Cullen - 19th June 2010
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Norway, Ørneredet, Lysefjord
CoD: Ground Impact
Glider: Omega 155
Wingload: 1.35 kg/m²
Description:
A 51-year-old New Zealand pilot fell 30m to his death after ground launching from Ørneredet (Eagles Nest) Gary and a friend had gone to Lysebotn to do a First Base Jump Course. After completing the course winds were not ideal for BASE but winds were forecast to be better the next day. Late that afternoon Gary went up to ground launch his skydiving canopy. On his second launch attempt he had his accident when the canopy he was using collapsed due to it failing to inflate correctly and he fell 30m the the ledge below the launch site. He died while on the ledge, with another BASE jumper who had climbed down to help him.
www:
http://www.dagbladet.no
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Urs Jud - 16th August 2010
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Switzerland, Buochserhorn
CoD: Ground Impact
Glider: BioAir Skim - 12m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
A 30-year-old Flyers Speed-pilot on the Buochserhorn, was found lying directly below a cablecar ropeways near to the launch site the next morning after attempting solo evening flight at 20:00 clock. Cause of the accident is not known, but at that time the 1807 meters high Buochserhorn has downdrafts and tailwinds. The investigating authorities examined the glider and found there was no trace of collision with the cablecar ropeway. Given the fact that his body was found directly below the SouthWest side of the launch site near the ridge, it must be assumed that he was not flying following a failed launch ?
www:
http://www.onz.ch
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Evan Whitlock - 4th December 2010
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: USA, Kalalau Valley, Hawaii
CoD: Crashed into Rocks
Glider: Ozone - ?? m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
The 24-year-old Base jumper, Skydiving expert, Tandem skydiving instructor with more than 6000 jumps fell 600ft to his death. Kauai officials said Whitlock's speed glider apparently malfunctioned. There were no witnesses to the accident.
www:
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com
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Michael Uhrmann - 28th December 2010
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: Austria, Kreuzjoch
CoD: Crashed into Trees
Glider: Swing Spitfire 9m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
Michael Uhrmann [35] crashed into trees in the area of Galtalmliftes at an altitude of 1,500 meters after starting on Kreuzjoch. He later died in hospital.
www:
http://www.oe24.at
http://www.funsporting.de
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Harald N. - 6th January 2011
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Austria, Koderalm
CoD: Crashed into Rocks
Glider: ??? - ?? m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
A 31-year-old lost control of his glider and hit with full force against a rock wall, after he fell more than 100 meters to his death.
www:
http://steiermark.orf.at
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Guillaume Dupraz - 14th January 2011
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: France, Valfréjus - Punta Bagna
CoD: Crashed into Rocks
Glider: Gin Nano 12.5m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
Guillaume Dupraz [23] died after an accident speed riding (skiing with a paraglider wing) in the backcountry of Punta Bagna (2737 meters), The area where the accident occurred is a site for beginners, the equivalent of a green slope skiing. According to some witnesses, the glider had begun to swing from left to right, making it uncontrollable. He finally crashed against a rock on the western slope of Punta Bagna on the left side view of the local school, after the black run. This was the first fatal accident in 10 years of flying at Punta Bagna.
www:
http://www.ledauphine.com
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Eduardo Díez Rabago - 10th March 2011
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: France, La Plagne
CoD: Crashed into Rocks
Glider: ??? - ?? m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
Spanish Speedriding pilot [43] disappeared on Thursday when practicing off-piste 'speed-riding' when he did not come, as planned, to the agreed meeting place - he was later found on Friday and it is believed he had fallen about 300 meters from the point of departure of the flight.
www:
http://www.eldiariomontanes.es
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??? - 22nd March 2011
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: France, Les Menuires
CoD: Crashed into Rocks
Glider: ??? - ?? m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
A 40 year old Frenchman was found by two off-piste skiers on the morning of the 22nd of March. They spotted a deflated wing and what appeared to be a still body on the Western slope overlooking Lac du Lou. The skiers signalled the alert to the rescue services (PGHM) who sent out a helicopter to quickly get on the scene up at 2300 meters.
www:
http://steiermark.orf.at
http://www.ledauphine.com
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David Stadelmann - 15th October 2011
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Switzerland, Lauterbrunnen
CoD: Ground Impact - Fall after cancelled take off
Glider: Swing Savage 13m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
On Saturday 15th October 2011 a 25 year-old Swiss with two colleagues went to the Jungfraujoch and intended to fly in the direction of Stechelberg. With good wind conditions and a very icy launch site they were all wearing crampons. His two colleagues took off first, he followed but canceled his take off and stopped running. It is then thought he may have slipped on the ice, loosing grip from the crampons and slid over a 20m icecliff which resulted in severe and fatal head injuries. He was a qualified Paraglider, Skydiver and BASE jumper.
www:
http://www.blick.ch
http://www.beo-news.ch
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Sean Kerridge - 17th February 2012
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Treble Cone, New Zealand
CoD: Ground Impact -
Glider: Swing Spitfire 11m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
Sean Kerridge [40] crashed while flying close to the terrain approximately 300m below the TC pub corner launch. The conditions at the time were strongly thermic with increasing NW wind. He was a very experienced skydiver and basejumper and had recently completed PG training. He had been flying SF wings for about 2 year.
www:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz
http://www.stuff.co.nz
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??? - 21st February 2012
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Switzerland, St. Moritz, Corviglia
CoD: Ground Impact - After take off
Glider: ??? - ??m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
The 57-year-old Speedflyer pilot crashed above St. Moritz. He started his flight alone from the official paragliding ramp on Corviglia, then lost control of his glider and fell about twenty feet directly on the ski slope. Upon impact, he recieved such severe injuries that he died at the crash site.
www:
http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch
http://www.polizeinews.ch
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Stephan Lorünser - 3rd March 2012
Activity: Speed-Riing
Location: Hochjoch - Montafon, Austria
CoD: Object Impact
Glider: Swing Savage - 13m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
A Speed-Riding pilot [25] shortly after takeoff, could not escape an avalanche control and hit with full force against the massive structure. He suffered serious head injuries and died at the scene.
www:
http://vorarlberg.orf.at
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??? - 9th March 2012
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: Alpe d'Huez, France
CoD: Ground Impact - After take off
Glider: ??? - ??m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
A young 26 year old man originally from Romans-sur-Isère was killed instantly after having trouble with his launch near the 2300 meters La Balme area where he hit a rock. The pilot had just finished a three days course.
www:
http://www.actucity.com
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??? - 24th April 2012
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: Les Deux Alpes, France
CoD: Ground Impact - After take off
Glider: ??? - ??m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
A 52 year old man from Pontault-Combault died due to injuries sustained from a speed-riding accident in Les Deux Alpes. He was speed riding with a group of friends on an off-piste area of Les Deux Alpes when he was said to have misjudged a manoeuvre, leading him to a 40 metre cliff drop. The man was found near the bottom of a waterfall at 1400 metres in the neighbouring resort of La Grave in a critical condition. He was airlifted to a hospital in Grenoble but sadly died overnight..
www:
http://www.europe1.fr
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Manfred Tichy - 17th September 2012
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: Chamonix (Mont Blanc), France
CoD: Impact - ???
Glider: Swing ? - ??m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
On Sunday 17th September, 41 year old Manfred Tichy had a fatal speedglider accident in the vicinity of Mt Blanc in France. Details of the accident are not known other than he was trying to fly over a ridge and this unfortunately failed, this resulted in him crashing into the mountain. He died still at the accident scene before the arrival of the first responders to his injuries. He was an experienced Paraglider & Tandem pilot and Speed Glider Pilot.
www:
http://www.takeoff-paragliding.com
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Jackson Vital De Silva - 18th June 2013
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Serra do Cruzeiro - Tanque d'Arca, Brazil
CoD: Cliff Impact
Glider: Sol - 13m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
The 29 year old pilot died while flying in the mountainous region of the city of Tank d'Ark, in Alagoas. He was accompanied by another skydiver, Roberto Scheiffer who witnessed the accident. News report says - The wind conditions were favorable. Roberto was the first to launch, so he could then watch Jackson who was new to the sport (2 weeks). Reports say he attempted an advanced low level turn maneuver which is beleived to have been the cause of the accident.
www:
http://globoesporte.globo.com
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Pedro Ferrari - 10th August 2013
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: ???
CoD: Cliff Impact
Glider: Swing Spitfire - 11m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
...
www:
http://...
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Jeff Bertoia - 7th September 2013
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Mount Habrich, Squamish Canada
CoD: Cliff Impact
Glider: ITV Pil Pit3 - 11m²
Wingload: 1.3 kg/m²
Description:
A 36 year old man died in a speed flying accident while flying off the Mount Habrich, Squamish. The group of 5 friends headed up the northwest side of the mountain for their Hike & Fly mission. At the launch site two mini wing Little Cloud Kangoos successfully flew off minutes before. Jeff was the first of the smaller wings to fly. I flight the right edge of his wing caught a tree and slammed him into a rock face followed by a 600-foot fall. Police received a 911 call at approximately 4:30 pm. We are still unsure as to how or why he clipped the tree with his wingtip. Possibly related to an aggressive turn or with him getting in trouble with glide path required to clear terrain. Equipment failure was not an issue. He was a member of the Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association of Canada and was loved by Everyone.
www:
http://www.piquenewsmagazine.com
http://www.squamishchief.com
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Walden Grindle - 22nd September 2013
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Mount St. Helena, Sonoma, CA USA
CoD: Rock Impact
Glider: Swing Spitfire (???) - ??m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
A 35-year-old Napa County man died after he launched off the 1323-metre peak Mount St. Helena and crashed at about 12:40 pm. After the crash he made a call to report that he was injured and that he had possibly broken his hip. He also activated an emergency beacon that notified the GEOS International Emergency Response Coordination Center. He was found at about 1:10 pm. Napa County Sheriff's Captain Leroy Anderson said he believed that he had glided around the edge of the mountain before colliding with a protruding rock saying "He probably just misjudged how close he was to the rock formation ?" He was an experienced BASE jumper and there was no indication of equipment failure.
www:
http://www.pressdemocrat.com
http://www.mirror.co.uk
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Florian Haller - 18th March 2014
Activity: Speed-Riding
Location: Punta Cervina, Italy
CoD: Equipment Malfunction and Crash
Glider: (???) - ??m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
A 33 year old Speed-Flyer suffered fatal crash on Punta Cervina at approx 2000m. During take off, a line from the glider got locked in a hook of his ski boots and he crashed down in a steep coloir below the launch site.
www:
http://www.ilgazzettino.it
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??? - 6th September 2014
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Hinterrugg, Switzerland
CoD: Rock Impact & Fall
Glider: (???) - ??m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
A 36 year old Danish Speed-Flyer suffered fatal crash on Hinterrugg in the Churfirsten Mountains at 16:20 after launching suffered a wing collapse followed by hitting a ledge and falling down a steep slope.
www:
http://www.20min.ch
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David Pearson - 28th October 2014
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Soboba Flight Park, San Jacinto, CA USA
CoD: Ground Impact
Glider: Ozone Fazer 2 - 8.5m²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
30 year old pilot Dave Pearson of Los Angeles was killed while attempting to do so some barrel rolls. With around 1½ to 2 years pilot experience and having done the maneuvers many times before, on this flight his glider suffered a collapse at a critical moment which put him in to a locked-in spiral before crashing into the ground. The accident was reported at 10:15am by Riverside County Fire Department officials.
www:
http://www.pe.com
Below is Troy Hartman's official report to USHPA
*** The pilot was flying a Fazer2 8.5m. This was a new wing and his first flight on it. His current wing was a Fazer2 10m. The time of the flight was 10:10am and conditions were light with straight in winds of 2-3 mph. The pilot launched from 1500' agl and flew straight out for about 20 seconds, gaining a few hundred feet of clearance from the ground. Witnesses stated that at this point he made a slight left turn followed by an attempt at a barrel roll to the right. Witness accounts indicate that the wing went into an immediate, fully developed spin to the right with the inside half of the wing collapsed along the trailing edge. After approximately one turn of the
spin, the wing re-inflated and surged forward, immediately entering a spiral dive. This spiral dive remained until impact. The pilot died at the scene.
The pilot was wearing a wrist-mounted GoPro. No video was recovered from the camera since it was in photo mode. The photos on the memory card clearly
indicate that the pilot was adjusting the camera (likely to switch from photo to video mode) seconds before the loss of control.
Without clear video of the pilot and wing, no conclusion can be made as to what exactly happened. It can be surmised however that attempting an advanced maneuver within the first 20 seconds of flight on a new wing is a significant contributing factor. It is also likely that the pilot's diversion of attention to the camera compounded this somewhat.
The pilot was not wearing a reserve, which could have changed the outcome.
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Kyle Macdonald-Wolochatiuk - 26th July 2015
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: First Peak of Stawamus Chief, Squamish, BC, Canada
CoD: Ground Impact
Glider: ??? - ??²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
Kyle Macdonald-Wolochatiuk, 40 years old fell around 500 metres to the bottom of Stawamus Chief cliff after hitting a tree shortly after launching.
www:
http://www.vancouversun.com
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Tiago Amorim Cobra - 9th August 2015
Activity: Speed-Flying
Location: Pedra Bonita, Rio de Janeiro Brazil
CoD: Ground Impact
Glider: Ozone Firefly 2 - 16²
Wingload: ??? kg/m²
Description:
Tiago Amorim Cobra 48 years old died following a 70% asymmetric collapse shortly after launch. After take off the glider was caught by turbulence which caused the asymmetric collapse. The glider then re-inflated as the glider twisted which then dived back into the side of the mountain.
www:
http://noticias.bol.uol.com.br
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