Was this already posted? I haven't seen any other references.

Sounds like good work on behalf of the pilot, very lucky that there was enough space to sneak it in amongst the skiers. I can't imagine it was much of a roll out uphill and what sounds like an intentional ground loop. Needlessly dramatic calling it a crash landing...

http://southtahoenow.com/story/02/05/2012/report-glider-crash-heavenly-mountain-resort-calstar-helicopter-its-way

Just heard about this last night. My dads friend is a tug pilot out of Minden. The media is very sensationalized. Will be interesting to get the pilots viewpoint.

HT

On the Channel 4 news out of Reno last night, the announcer read, "And sheriff's authorities said that the pilot would probably NOT be charged in the incident..."

Gump

GumpAir wrote:On the Channel 4 news out of Reno last night, the announcer read, "And sheriff's authorities said that the pilot would probably NOT be charged in the incident..."

Gump

Don't make the mistake of reading the comments on that article. It will make you want to punch faces.

I have always wanted to land on a groomer. Right now with the snow conditions the way they are it would be just as hard as the runway.Guess I won' t try it at Heavenly,does not sound like they received a warm welcome.

Zane wrote:Don't make the mistake of reading the comments on that article. It will make you want to punch faces.

Morons... Wonder how many people got run over by drunks on skis, or out of control boarders that same day. I'm betting more than were at risk by the glider.

Gump

The article said it was his BFR! Wonder if he passed.

I was called in to tow gliders right after the incident, as the "out of service" instructor meant that the on duty tuggie (also a CFIG) had to switch to a glider to give rides. I towed two rides up to Genoa Peak (north of Kingsbury Grade and Heavenly) and each time turned south but remained at least a couple of miles north of the pass. The wind was out of the SE maybe 15 knots or a bit more. The first little mistake was venturing west over Kingsbury and into the lee of Heavenly with a glider that day. I guess you could say it went downhill rapidly from there.

Good job on the landout. The unwelcoming Heavenly management were hardly behaving in a manner that bespeaks their name.

bumper