Lost PG Pilot in NV - Wing has been found

A discussion restricted to the topic of hang gliding.
Previous topicNext topic
User avatar
Round Bird
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri, Jul 31 2020, 01:11:54 pm

Lost PG Pilot in NV - Wing has been found

Post by Round Bird »

Wing has been found.

Sharing with this group so those with SAR experience layered on top of PG experience can add their expertise to the search effort.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/48647938 ... 338203614/

Thank you.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
Round Bird
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri, Jul 31 2020, 01:11:54 pm

Contact to offer expertise

Post by Round Bird »

To offer your expertise, please email findthatkiwi at g m a i l dot c o m.

Thank you.
User avatar
Round Bird
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri, Jul 31 2020, 01:11:54 pm

Those with time

Post by Round Bird »

You can help the search from your computer:

1) Email imagesearchforkiwi at g m a i l dot com to get access to new set of targeted satellite images to review.

2) New target to look for:
- Human in light grey clothes
- Dark Grey PG harness
- WHITE Reserve chute - this may not have been deployed


Thank you
Last edited by Round Bird on Thu, Sep 17 2020, 03:50:44 pm, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Hefalump
Posts: 299
Joined: Wed, Feb 22 2006, 11:45:03 am
Location: Florida or Arizona

Post by Hefalump »

Harness not found with wing?

Where the wings suspension lines cut, severed, or was the caribiners on the wing?

If the caribiners are on the wing, then the pilot had to unclip them from the harness presumably after landing/crashing.

If lines are cut clean, the length of each suspension line is known. So it one could reconstruction the location of where the lines were cut by a hook knife presumably by the pilot after landing/crash.

If the lines are severed ragged at random locations then it could either mean the lines broke in flight or where abraided and severed from the harness by the wing blowing in the wind some time after landing/crash.

Either way, the wing must have blown down wind from the harness/pilot location to its found position.

Just some thoughts to consider.
JD Guillemette
User avatar
Round Bird
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri, Jul 31 2020, 01:11:54 pm

Resolution

Post by Round Bird »

Credit to GA for news tip. Breaks my heart but he knew the risks.

https://www.facebook.com/FindThatKiwi/p ... cation=ufi
User avatar
Round Bird
Posts: 20
Joined: Fri, Jul 31 2020, 01:11:54 pm

3 take-aways

Post by Round Bird »

Adding to collective wisdom of the flying tribe (biwingal pilots):

3 key take-aways from an individual (not me) intimately involved with the SAR:

1. Upgrade your locator system to something that sends pings every 2.5 minutes or less. That in itself will reduce the search radius to 4 km instead of 70(?) km for 10-min ping systems like the Delorme InReach.

2. Do not get a white paraglider. SAR drove by the balled up white wing several times. Looks too similar to a bleached rock.

3. Do not settle for a white reserve chute for the same reason.

As SC says, Fly safely + joyfully.
Previous topicNext topic