Dartmoor Glider accident
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Oxford, UK
Posts: 1,546
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dartmoor Glider accident
Matt Wright, well known for his superb gliding videos as Balleka, has been killed in a launch accident near Brent Tor in Devon.
He will be greatly missed at his club, the Devon and Somerset. After weeks of horrible weather, Sunday was a good day to fly; we can go now for a year or more without a fatal accident in UK gliding, and then two in one day in December.
Both will be investigated by the UKAAIB
He will be greatly missed at his club, the Devon and Somerset. After weeks of horrible weather, Sunday was a good day to fly; we can go now for a year or more without a fatal accident in UK gliding, and then two in one day in December.
Both will be investigated by the UKAAIB
very sad .....
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dark side of the Moon
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That is so very sad.
I loved his gliding videos - indeed it was through those that I was introduced to Hybrid's "Disappear Here" as the soundtrack to his marvellous video of beating up the ridge at Sidmouth.
Thank you Matt, blue skies.
FBW
I loved his gliding videos - indeed it was through those that I was introduced to Hybrid's "Disappear Here" as the soundtrack to his marvellous video of beating up the ridge at Sidmouth.
Thank you Matt, blue skies.
FBW
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: In Exile...
Posts: 332
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Mary - there has been at least one more fatal accident this year, an ASG29 going into a field near Preston Candover from Lasham.
This was terribly sad - Matt was a nice guy and an inspiration to many.
This was terribly sad - Matt was a nice guy and an inspiration to many.
Join Date: May 2010
Location: europe
Age: 66
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I didn't know Matt but just took a look at some of his you tube videos. He was obviously a talented pilot and film maker, and had great taste in music. May he rest in peace.
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 63
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I never had the pleasure of meeting Matt, but I enjoyed watching his YouTube videos very much. Friends who met him say he was a really nice person, always really cheerful.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Matt was a great guy. As part of his club's expedition he visited us every year and we greatly enjoyed hosting them. So sorry, not only for Matt's immediate family & friends, but for the people at the launch point & winch - I believe it was a launch accident.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: DEVON
Age: 55
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Very Sad, Matt was a wonderful man, commercial pilot, glider pilot, film maker and cartoonist. He will be greatly missed by everyone at DSGC but remembered for everything he gave to the club and gliding in general.
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Permanently lost
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was just watching one of his last videos on YouTube and was scanning the comments to find out that Matt had been killed. What tragic news.
Way back when he was flying for MK Airlines and was posting those incredible African videos I was moved to compliment him on his filming and editing skills and he was kind enough to respond. We had a few exchanges over the years as I often sought more information on his 747 videos and it now makes me very sad to think he is gone.
My condolences to his family and close friends.
Way back when he was flying for MK Airlines and was posting those incredible African videos I was moved to compliment him on his filming and editing skills and he was kind enough to respond. We had a few exchanges over the years as I often sought more information on his 747 videos and it now makes me very sad to think he is gone.
My condolences to his family and close friends.
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There will be nothing until the AAIB report - which is usually around a year after the accident.
However there has been no CAA airworthiness directive I've heard of for immediate inspections of all other aircraft of the same type or of other types sharing some constructional aspect to the accident aircraft. That is a hint that a "problem" with the aircraft is not the cause.
That in turn leads one in the direction of human error either by the pilot himself or by the ground crew/winch driver or indeed medical incapacitation.
As regards the ASG29 accident mentioned earlier in the thread the AAIB reported on this in April this year
See report available at the linked page below
https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aaib...-glider-g-vlcc
In summary - the aircraft hit the ground in a dive with the engine extended and the AAIB are not really sure why - possibly of pilot medical incapacitation based on some odd aspects to the aerotow up seems to be the most likely.
However there has been no CAA airworthiness directive I've heard of for immediate inspections of all other aircraft of the same type or of other types sharing some constructional aspect to the accident aircraft. That is a hint that a "problem" with the aircraft is not the cause.
That in turn leads one in the direction of human error either by the pilot himself or by the ground crew/winch driver or indeed medical incapacitation.
As regards the ASG29 accident mentioned earlier in the thread the AAIB reported on this in April this year
See report available at the linked page below
https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aaib...-glider-g-vlcc
In summary - the aircraft hit the ground in a dive with the engine extended and the AAIB are not really sure why - possibly of pilot medical incapacitation based on some odd aspects to the aerotow up seems to be the most likely.
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: nowhere
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Atmosphere has some Nasty Tricks up its sleeve
I lost 285' in a vortex / downburst encounter from final at 300' AGL and remain most grateful that I avoided damage to myself and my glider.
There are a number of accidents, many fatal, where the atmosphere bit hard.
As with the AAIB report, my Oudie and Air Glide S provided data that permitted me to determine horizontal and vertical wind shears. A vortex can produce a shear twice the wind aloft:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?...DY0Q1Z6NXdsd2s
With other similar accidents I am aware of, the windshear is downwind of higher terrain or a large building. This accident is different in that the higher terrain is absent, but the air flow disturbance seems to have been generated by the change in slope profile.
There are a number of accidents, many fatal, where the atmosphere bit hard.
As with the AAIB report, my Oudie and Air Glide S provided data that permitted me to determine horizontal and vertical wind shears. A vortex can produce a shear twice the wind aloft:
https://drive.google.com/folderview?...DY0Q1Z6NXdsd2s
With other similar accidents I am aware of, the windshear is downwind of higher terrain or a large building. This accident is different in that the higher terrain is absent, but the air flow disturbance seems to have been generated by the change in slope profile.
I did one take off through rotor at Aboyne. Needed two hands on the stick to control. Wonder why Matt turned left (upwind) instead of to the right. More options when you turn downwind such as S turn ahead or landing cross strip without having to turn a full 360.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hotel Gypsy
Posts: 2,821
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Back in the day I was a teenage air cadet intent on killing myself, we had very strict criteria to be applied on cable break. This particular event would have certainly been in the 'land ahead' box.
Sad. Hindsight is such a wonderful thing.
Sad. Hindsight is such a wonderful thing.
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Thud105
Why did he turn at all?
RIP
