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Old 07-25-2005, 07:49 PM
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Default 800 FOOT LOFTING REVISITED


From: http://216.92.244.20/pictures/patoKi...eAir/index.htm

32. Incident# 3 3 02 "Record Lofting" Location: Cabarete, Dominican Republic - Updated 7.25.05

Date of Incident March 2002 Participant account included: Yes Number of independent accounts: 4



The lofting occurred near the central portion of the bay near that large white house that shows up in the aerial photo.
From: http://www.hispaniola.com/

Summary

A 155 lb. (70 kg) kiteboarding instructor of about 2 1/2 years experience on a four-month holiday in Cabarete was rigged with an RRD 11.9 m kite. The wind had been consistently side shore 10 to 15 kts. He noticed a black line of clouds or squall moving in to shore. He came into shore at the west section of Cabarete Bay at Bozo Beach. He lowered his kite to within 3 to 5 m (10 to 16 ft.), off the ground for an assisted landing. He was then hit by a violent wind gust, that he described as an “explosion.” Wind records from nearby wind meters reported that average winds were 35 kts. with gusts up to 51 kts.

The winds had shifted suddenly from side shore to dead onshore. By the time the rider understood what happened he was flying inland over a building under construction with exposed rebar at an altitude of approximately 20 m (65 ft.). He didn’t feel it was safe to pop his snap shackle release at this point. He continued to rise in the gust and at one point estimated his altitude to be 30 m (98 ft.) or higher.

Looking forward he saw no clear area to land but was rapidly flying towards high tension lines and trees. He noticed a pine tree and headed in that direction.

He described the kite handling to be stable but very “twitchy” with attempted control inputs. He had a few previous experiences hang gliding and paragliding and felt this time at least helped him manage the shock of the flight in part. He was traveling at approximately wind speed or roughly 40 to 45 kts. over ground. He then hit the pine tree, breaking a limb and then rebounded into the trunk.

He then fell down through the tree breaking limbs until he hit the ground. His kite then started to power-up again. At this point he released the snap shackle and his kite flew off to windward where it was heavily damaged. The rider was admitted to the hospital for observation for possible signs of internal organ injury and brain hemorrhaging. He was released two days later and returned to kiteboarding two days after that. He was not wearing a helmet but was wearing an impact vest. The overall horizontal distance traveled was reported to be 250 m (822 ft.) and the maximum height of flight at 30 m (100 ft.).

Lessons Learned

1. If a storm, black clouds or squall line is moving in, get off the water well in advance of the storm and while conditions are still stable and unchanged. Always be aware of weather conditions while you are kiteboarding and be prepared to act quickly if conditions change for the worse. Your kite should be down on the beach and thoroughly anchored well before any change in wind speed or direction or air temperature occurs. At a minimum it would also be a good idea to remove both lines from one side of the kite in case it is swept up in gusts.

2. If you suspect storms may be in the area, check out color weather radar if available in your area. If strong storm cells are moving towards your area, don’t go kiteboarding.

3. Don’t assume that the current wind direction and speed will persist if a storm hits as it may change both direction and speed violently several times.

4. Another approach that may have helped to avoid this event would have been to land unhooked:
a) fully pulling in on a long trim strap almost totally depowering the kite while still offshore
b) open the quick release at that time
c) to have held the control bar while near the shore and landing. When the gust hit, the bar should have been ripped out of his hands.

5. Yet another approach would have been to emergency depower the kite while still away from shore.

6. Always wear safety gear including a good helmet, impact vest, gloves and hook knife at a minimum.
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transcribed by:
Rick Iossi
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