http://ozreport.com/3.077#0

http://ozreport.com/3.078#2

http://ozreport.com/3.079#2

Tom <email> writes:

I would like to give my understanding of what happened regarding Dean Williams' accident flying his Millennium. I believe he was distracted trying to help Christian after his failed launch. From all accounts, Dean did not secure his nose clip.

He was able to soar for a couple of hours because the wings providing lift keeping the nose closed through out his flight. At approximately 200' AGL Dean deployed his rudders causing drag on the tips, pulling the wings back and the nose apart. His glider pitched down steeply, and he fired off his reserve parachute.

Unfortunately, the parachute bridle was tubular and old (marked 1985). I was told by Greg Black this bridle is no longer used for updated parachutes. His bridle snapped apart.

Dean in a last ditch effort deployed his drogue chute, slowing him down and allowing the wings to move forward. He pulled back on the stick and the nose leveled somewhat seconds before impact. I believe this is what saved Dean.

For all of you pilots that put your harness on and then hook in to the glider, distractions and forgetting to hook in will kill you. I would recommend hooking the harness in first and then getting into the glider (harness). Distractions broke George Farris's neck and many other pilots have been killed or severely injured because of this. It's about time we as a group realize how small things can be forgotten and cause tragedy. To Dean and Donna stay strong!!! Dean tried to keep it flying, never giving up!