http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hhpa/

One report:

Martin Apopot, a H2 pilot, fell victim to a scooter tow accident
Sunday 17th, 2010 at Hearne, Texas airport at about 5:30 PM. Pilot was not
hooked into the hang glider Tow operator did not do a hang check with pilot,
once pilot was in position operator accelerated the scooter tow winch, and pilot
ran, but did not gain lift, after pilot ran for a bit longer was lifted to
between 100' to 150' when tension was released, pilot was hanging on downtubes,
glider crashed nose first.

Airlife was called to airport, pilot, Martin Apopot, refused to be airlifted to
hospital and was taken by ambulance. Pilot was wearing an Insider full face
helmet, and still suffered lacerations to right eyebrow. Pilot was taken to
Saint Joseph Hospital in Bryan, Texas. Where doctors stated that he had a
dislocated disc in spinal area and lacerations. Pilot will be released this
week.

Another report:

From my perspective, which was between Martin and Scooter tow rig.
The wind had crossed so the glider was farther away from the rig, but still
facing into the wind. He picked up the glider, motioned for "go, go, go", so I
yelled command to Bobb L to Go. Martin made 5-6 good strides with glider lifting
off with him straight and level. His speed might have been a little slow and he
bounced off the ground on his wheels, then lifted up about 3-4' and then did it
again, the continued to climb. His climb out was smooth, straight and level with
no apparent issue.

Upon reaching 100-125' he released and at this point he slid down downtubes to
the base tube. I said to myself "oh shit, he's not hooked in". He held on to the
base tube and glider pitched nose down and he flew it to ground. He hit pretty
hard. Bobb Lo got in car and drove to the scene. From what I understand Martin
was somewhat coherent, talking and had a cut on his head. Bobb made a quick
assessment and called 911 who responded to scene with at least four ambulances,
three support vehicles and two law enforcement officials. EMT 's were on scene
in less than seven minutes. Helicopter service arrived 3-5 minutes later.

As far as the scooter tow went it was fine. A little slow at first, but quickly
assessed and resolved. Mick had made two or three prior without issue. I wasn't
sure how Martin could not have been hooked in and not lost it or released after
second bounce. It appears that since he was pulled above the bar the towline
pressure kept him pulled forward to the bar, but upon release the tension was no
longer there to hold him against base tube. Upon release for towline it became
real apparent what was happening. I don't fault scooter tow or operation, but
question when the pilot did his hang check. He had walked the glider to launch
area from the area where platform towing was being done. Martin flew platform
towing several times today earlier.

Only he can tell us what happened, but that will be later in an accident report.
Luckily his injuries are not worse and it sounds as though recovery will be in
the immediate plans.

I have heard of one other accident a few years ago with scooter
towing where the scooter tow operator was far away from the student and
communicating by radio and the "student" was unhooked and climbed to about 40'.

Because of the cross wind the pilot moved away from the operator. Maybe not a
good idea. The operator failed to notice the the pilot wasn't hooked in? The
observer on the tow also didn't notice that the pilot wasn't hooked in. Same
goes for the pilot. No hang check.

Why didn't the pilot know he was not hooked in after running and especially
after bouncing a few times? Was the tow rope connection keeping the glider down
(usually the glider just floats right up off your shoulders when you are not
hooked in, unless, as I assume was the case here, the bridle is also hooked to
the keel)? Was it making him feel that he was hooked in? Did he not know that he
wasn't until he released (which appears to be the case)? What exactly is the
setup for this bridle and release? Was it easy to reach the release? Would a
mouth release be the ticket in this type of situation?

This was obviously not a low and slow training session, but a semi-high altitude
tow. What was the purpose of the tow? How experienced was the tow operator? How
experienced was the pilot with scooter towing?

I believe that we have something to learn (or relearn from this accident).