Wild paragliding "accident"

Bmacleod said:
Tough to call it an accident, as someone simply screwed up.
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Not sure how you can call a small plane hitting a paraglider's wing 'simply someone screwed up'. Planes are supposed to stay 1000' away from clouds, there must be some rules about staying away from paragliders and other non powered gliders.
 
I recall years ago a member on the Spyderchat site (for MR2 Spyders- I have one and was a member) had a passion for paragliding. It was very sad when we heard he was up, had I think an engine out and lost control, and he and his paraglider wound up in a lake- he did not survive.
 
SMSW said:
Not sure how you can call a small plane hitting a paraglider's wing 'simply someone screwed up'. Planes are supposed to stay 1000' away from clouds, there must be some rules about staying away from paragliders and other non powered gliders.
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You misunderstood, or I didnt choose correct wordage. I wasnt saying it was a simple mistake... I meant it simply shouldnt have happened.
 
I saw the story on a news feed yesterday. What surprised me was the comments made by people who fly and know the rules better than I do.

She was at fault. Yes. At first, I was looking for what punishment they gave to the pilot and I found no mention. Then I got to reading the comments. Apparently, she was flying high enough that she should've been using some kind of transponder that would let air traffic and any ground controllers know she was in the area. And as another pilot mentioned, when you're trying to pick out something that small that is directly in line with you at 130 mph against a mottled background, she would be almost impossible to see.

Chris
 
I'm not up on Austrian unpowered flight laws but I did know a few US laws back when I flew a hang glider. And a few more after I got my private powered airplane license.

It's legal to fly any unregistered glider in the US up to 17,999 feet and it used to be legal to fly the same up to 21,000 feet Over 3 areas of the US. Sandia Mountain right at Albuquerque was regularly cleared to fly up 21,000. No sort of transponder required.

Does anyone think this airplane was in the right? Clipped from the mentioned video.


pg1.jpg
 
I know even less. But I also know that everything I read on the Internet is true. ;)

Here's a couple comments that I read.
Never Surrender
19 hours ago

Paragliders should, but do not, carry transponders or other electronic devices that would alert other aircraft of their presence. Air traffic radar, if available, as a result can't see them. Many paragliders don't even carry basic avaition-frequency VHF radios. It is extremely difficult to spot other small aircraft or paragliders in the air; visibility turns on weather and background conditions, among many other things. From a small plane, try spotting other small planes against a cluttered ground background and you'll not see what's directly in front of you. A similar accident occurred a few years ago near Houston, Texas at a 5,000-foot altitude; both pilots were killed. Not knowing all the facts and circumstances, I would be inclined to place primary blame on the paraglider.
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  • Juliette Dechamp
    19 hours ago

    This was in Europe. She was not supposed to be at that altitude without ADS-B.
    Reply

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Another one from Juliette Dechamp.
Juliette Dechamp
19 hours ago

It would be nearly impossible to see it when it is same direction, same altitude at a 130mph close rate. It would remain perfectly still in our view and easily blend into the background mountain terrain. Plus the paraglider improperly flew up into controlled airspace without a transponder or ADS-B. Pilot had no expectation that a nearly invisible paraglider would be there and with ADS-B on the paraglider none of the systems that would have warned of traffic would have worked. Pilot should sue the paraglider for damage to the aircraft.
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There were some other replies that seemed quite knowledgeable like the one that said the pilot was likely her ex. :unsure: That would put a different light on the situation.

Chris
 
I went back to the video. This is taken one second before the picture above. Judging from the shadows and lighting, it appears the plane's pilot was looking into the sun as well. We're seeing the close-up film and the story was picked because it got you to click on it.

1779730792390.png

BTW, the plane is in the picture. Your eyes just can't see it yet. 1 second before. And she's smaller than the plane and into the sun.

I think the pilot did a good job, all things considered.

Chris
 
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