On Dec 5, 2019, at 2:30 PM, dave_blizzard <davemb...@gmail.com> wrote:
I took Ozgun our CPC's walker earlier today and he was most appreciative. Seems he may need it very soon - he's doing so well that he will likely be released to his friends in Lake Oswego later this afternoon. More good news is that his wife and son are coming tomorrow for an extended stay - Oz has realized that he'll need more help than he originally thought.
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What happened:
On Saturday Nov 30th, I arrived to Cliffside around noon to fly. Perfect timing as the wind was picking up a little bit, making it soarable. Prepared myself for the extra cold weather. On top of my winter gloves, I was wearing mittens. I launched and started flying as usual. After several zig zags around/over launch height, I noticed a light thermal patch just over the launch and decided to chase it to climb further. I started a left turn, then realized that I need to turn tighter to better clear from the hill. As I increased my left brake, I got into a spin. I did a hands up to recover and I thought that the wing was recovering, but it didn't. And after a few seconds I hit somewhere between launch and the weather station.
After the accident:
I was lying still on the ground and remember hearing people. While there were many people helping me I remember talking to Wes and Andy. They were firm about not moving me before the ambulance arrived. Later I learned that this seriously saved me from a permanent injury. My L1 was totally shattered and my surgeon said it is very uncommon to have no nerve damage when L1 is in that shape. I got a fusion surgery on Monday and discharged from the hospital on Friday.
Causes:
The accident was 100% my error. I can only speculate on what caused it.
1. Relatively new wing: I recently upgraded my wing to Gin Leopard from M6. I thought I was ready for this move but probably I was mistaken.
2. Winter gloves and wraps: I usually fly with a wrap after taking the brakes. But that day my hands were substantially larger due to extra mittens on them. I didn't account for that when I wrapped the brake lines. Probably I was using more brakes than I was realizing.
3. Possible excessive outer brake: Kelly gave me a feedback several weeks ago after watching my flying at Sollie. He said when I am active piloting the wing in a turn, my outer hand also goes down more than usual. Same thing may be happening just before my spin.
4. Not tossing the reserve: I was not high enough maybe but still I think a better desicion after the spin would be to throw my reserve immediately. I had a Beamer in my harness and it could be opened in few seconds.
5. Using the wrong harnesses: I have Lightness 2, which is great for being light, but less great for back protection. It has a certified protector foam at the bottom. Upper back is protected by the stuff in the storage space. But between them, there is the reserve and there is only a thin foam between the reserve and the pilot. I think this is also where L1 is. I should have chosen a better harness.
Aftermath:
I honestly feel ashamed of this incident. If it was someone else, I would label that guy as dangerous and be careful around him. The incident made modifications on my self image.
I thank everyone who helped me during and after the event. I also apologize to everyone who I stole from their flying times.
I am currently using the "club walker" that Dave B. brought to me before my discharge. Thanks for that. It is very useful. Thanks to Mark S. for visiting me in the hospital, and to David Le for driving my car to Portland and keeping it. Thanks to Wes and Andy and other people caring for me just after the crash. Thanks to Kelly for giving me the important feedback. If only I could use it better. And thanks to everyone who messaged me when I was in hospital.
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Thanks for the write-up, Ozgun! Sharing your incident will certainly help the rest of us have a bit more perspective on our own flying! So grateful for the pilots intervention onsite to help prevent further spine injury and glad to hear that you are doing remarkably well following such a serious accident! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
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