Hang Glider Crashes In America

Hang glider crashes in America are prominent. There were 46 reported hang gliding accidents in the USA in 2003, according to the US Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. These resulted in thirteen serious injuries and two deaths. 2009 saw three hang glider crashes in America that resulted in fatalities. The total number of 2009 crashes is uncertain because the association stopped posting this information publicly on their website. Poor landing and launching methods and low airspeed during foot launches account for the majority of hang glider crashes in America. Read some true hang glider crash stories below. 

1. Frank Davis from Douglasville, Georgia. Frank crashed into a tree after losing control of his hang glider in 2008. The 64 year old man died from head and neck injuries. 
2. Thomas Richard Mayer from Carpinteria, California. Another senior citizen, Thomas was also killed when his hang glider broke and he fell 300 feet. Thomas was performing loops during a 2010 aerobatics event in San Bernardino, California. 
3. Kent Melvin Warren from Springville, Utah. 59 year old Kent Warren crashed his hang glider into power lines immediately after take off. Kent died instantly after getting tangled in the wires and falling to his death in 2010. 
4. John Seward from Austin, Texas. 26 year old John Seward died in an apparently unseen hang glider crash in June, 2010. John was found dead after the incident near County road 309 in Kingsland, Texas. 

Some of these hang gliders were highly experienced. Even with the proper hang gliding training, things do go wrong. Hang glider crashes in America can be minimized, however, with thorough training in air speed control, take offs and landings. 

If you want to see statistics about hang glider crashes in America, visit the Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association website at www.ushpa.aero.