A HG pilot blew a launch yesterday attempting to launch in fairly strong south crosswind conditions at 3.00pm. He ended up in the rocks to the right and above launch. He received some pretty significant injuries and was taken by a life flight helicopter to Redding.
I arrived just as his friends were packing up the damaged glider and learned that this was the accident pilots first launch at Hat Creek Rim. He was unaware of the extra dangers of launching Hat Creek in a strong crosswind, earlier in the day. His friends had successfully launched first and were also unaware of the added risk of launching and landing at Hat Creek during a strong thermal afternoon.
Our new club has HG and PG pilots who live around an hours drive from Hat Creek Rim and are happy to give first time HCR pilots and newer pilots an intro to flying at the rim. Of course this does not guarantee successful accident free flights, but being armed with the collective knowledge and experience from flying HCR for years could possibly prevent this kind of accident.
New or first time pilots to the rim can use the pilot forum (link in menu) to hook up with locals, or use the contacts page to contact a club officer.
I am hoping that the accident pilot will make a speedy and complete recovery.
A huge thank you to Glenn and Tina Rose who initiated the 911 call and rescue, helped the injured pilot and his relatives, and were thrust into a scene that none of us wish to be in.
Update: I just spoke with friends of accident pilot and he has been moved to Davis, has several broken bones in hips and pelvis and one above his eye. He is expected to make a full recovery.