Cirrus(?) Down in Boulder, CO (Parachute Video, Fire)

If they're not releasing the names of the victims yet, can someone who is in the know pm me the name of the pilot of the tow plane? I know a guy who tows out there, I just want to make sure it wasn't him...
 
rvg203 said:
When I read this my heart just sank.

Im working on my PPL- Glider out of Boulder. Started last week. I was up flying all day yesterday and chatting with the tow pilot. Just saw the news on JC. I talked to my CFI about 5 minutes ago and he told me that it was the commercial operator and not our club. While I always knew this was part of aviation, I never thought a crash would hit so close to home. I've been getting calls from friends the past half hour wondering if i'm still alive or not. It's a very sobering feeling. RIP to all involved and I will keep everyone here in the know when I find out more.

Reed
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i've been working on my private glider out of mile high, and have been getting the same calls. sad situation.

TXaviator said:
for the love of all things holy can someone explain to me how you couldnt see not one, but TWO aircraft directly in front of you?
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if you have never been uncomfortably close to a plane you didn't see, especially during a flat light day, give it time. you will.

i've had ra's on planes i never saw, even with the tcas trying to help.
 
While I hate to speculate, one of the possibilities that is being thrown around is that the Cirrus pilot had his head down. The glass cockpit can get distracting if you let it. No matter what the cause, It is important to keep up a good scan. In the glider, I am taught to make a small turn every 30 seconds to a minute just to get a different sight picture out the windscreen. Something that you might miss staring straight at could get picked up if you turn a few degrees to either side. Everyone fly safe out there!
 
I fly to KBDU quite often (in a Cirrus in fact) and there is so much traffic in the area that I almost have to ignore the traffic on the screen and just use my eyes. Also for them blaming the pilot for not being able to see someone... Its a given that if you fly enough you will have close calls that will scare you even if you are looking out the window. I know I have in my flight Instructing days there. The traffic audio callout that the Cirrus has, has probably saved me a time or two by helping me spot traffic I never would have seen, In fact I wonder how many close calls I had and never even knew about it in the days before I had TIS/TCAS

RIP :(
 
rvg203 said:
While I hate to speculate, one of the possibilities that is being thrown around is that the Cirrus pilot had his head down. The glass cockpit can get distracting if you let it. No matter what the cause, It is important to keep up a good scan. In the glider, I am taught to make a small turn every 30 seconds to a minute just to get a different sight picture out the windscreen. Something that you might miss staring straight at could get picked up if you turn a few degrees to either side. Everyone fly safe out there!
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So the tow pilot wasn't required to see and avoid also?. It is impossible to keep a constant good scan on a VFR flight, other things need to be tended to and last time I checked we only have two eye balls. Cirrus pilots don't bury their heads in the glass all flight, just doesn't happen.
 
Fly_Unity said:
I fly to KBDU quite often (in a Cirrus in fact) and there is so much traffic in the area that I almost have to ignore the traffic on the screen and just use my eyes. Also for them blaming the pilot for not being able to see someone... Its a given that if you fly enough you will have close calls that will scare you even if you are looking out the window. I know I have in my flight Instructing days there. The traffic audio callout that the Cirrus has, has probably saved me a time or two by helping me spot traffic I never would have seen, In fact I wonder how many close calls I had and never even knew about it in the days before I had TIS/TCAS

RIP :(
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I remember my first flight in a Cirrus with TIS, I was amazed at the amount of traffic around me. You learn how hard it is to spot planes in the air.
 
Hits home for sure, RIP to the victims. Not sure I knew anyone involved, can someone PM me any info? Have lost too many GA friends/acquaintances the way it is :(
 
Champcar,

I agree. While an aircraft towing another aircraft has right of way, it is both pilot's job to see and avoid. For some reason, that broke down today. We will probably never know exactly why, but what happened today is unfortunate none the less.
 
How many here have had so close a call that you could see smudge behind the rivets on a belly? Happened to me. Twice. Both right near an airport, and both, the offending a/c was just cruising through the pattern space, was not even landing. Right out of nowhere to a critical situation instantly.
 
I think this serves as a good reminder to everyone that pilots an aircraft. We all need to see and avoid, regardless of the ship we're flying.
 
rvg203 said:
Word is the Cirrus hit the Pawnee at a 90 degree angle right behind the engine where the fuel tank is. The glider on tow flew through the fireball and then released the tow cable and climbed out to the right. The Cirrus was cruising from North to South and the Towplane was cruising due West. Supposedly, the passenger in the glider was taking video and has the accident on camera.

Matt, I hope to see you out at the field soon. Good to know there is another SSB member on here!

Reed
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That video is not something I want in my mind.
RIP
 
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