Glider Crash Claims Pilot’s Life

By Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. on October 24, 2011

A glider crash at Cle Elum Municipal Airport in Washington claimed the life of the 53-year-old pilot recently, according to a news report from UKPA.

The glider had been hired to shoot video to be used in an upcoming commercial for General Motors. It had been towed onto the runway at the Kittitas County airport, about 75 miles southeast of Seattle. The glider’s pilot was preparing to take off and had just lifted the glider from the runway when the crash occurred. The pilot, a resident of Tukwila, was the only person on board the glider when it crashed; unfortunately, he lost his life in the accident. The glider belonged to Northwest Eagles Soaring, also located in Tukwila.

As it does with all aviation accidents, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash. Investigators have not yet said what they believe caused the crash, nor who they believe may be responsible for the pilot’s untimely death.

Aviation accidents are rare compared to car accidents and other crashes, but they can cause serious injuries or death if something does go wrong. Negligent directions from air traffic control, improperly-maintained runways or equipment, or defective parts used to build or repair an aircraft may all contribute to a tragic outcome in the event of a crash. If you or someone you love has been injured in an aviation crash, the experienced Washington personal injury attorneys at Hardwick & Pendergast, P.S. can help. Call us today at (888) 228-3860. The call is free, and your conversation with us is always kept confidential.