[Editor’s Note: This continues the Civil Air Patrol modus operandi of reporting one version of events to the media and a different, truer version to the NTSB and FAA after the sensation has passed. Readers may review the CAP Morphine Pilot Lies Crashes & Dies and the Four Florida CAP Members killed in overloaded Cessna stories, and the ruling on Civil Air Patrol Glider operations at Lagrange.]
On July 31st 2017 Civil Air Patrol’s “Chief of Safety” Retired Air Force Col. George C. Vogt signed a
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
PILOT/OPERATOR AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT/INCIDENT REPORT
which is be used for reporting civil and public aircraft accidents and incidents.
That form included the following description of the events of the day.
On July 21, 2017, student pilot had a instructor checkout flight, followed by one solo flight prior to this flight. The glider flight was from 08A at 12:07 PM. Tow was planned for 3000′ AGL. Solo student pilot was to rendezvous with instructor [in the air?!?] to work on thermalling techniques and return to 08A.
Student released from tow at 3000′ AGL on the east side of 165 just north of highway 14. He was in radio contact with instructor who was in another glider thermalling.
When unable to locate instructor’s airplane, he elected to return to airport. The student noticed that he seemed to be sinking quickly. He told his instructor via radio that he was at 1000′ and couldn’t find the airport. He was told to find a field.
The student pilot couldn’t find a field. He saw a neighborhood and intended to land on a street between trees and houses. When he knew he was going to crash, he tightened straps and gripped the stick to fly it into the crash. He heard the glider go through treetops, then hit a power line. When he hit the power line, the nose raised and reduced the glider’s speed. The glider tilted to the right and the right wing struck the ground first. The plane came down on the right side of the fuselage. The student heard metal crushing and the canopy breaking.
He sat still for a moment and then undid the restraint restraint system. He fell out to the side of the glider and felt around for his glasses. A neighbor ran out from a house and asked if he was OK. He told him his leg was hurting and the man told his wife to call 911.
He helped the student pilot into his house and onto the couch. Police, paramedics, parent and flight instructor were notified.
This report and associated photos were released on September 14th 2017 as shown at Kathyrn’s Report and in the public NTSB Docket Management System.
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