Tom's Tumble
August 25, 2001 - Walt's Point to 52 miles north. Awesome flight! 
August 26, 2001 - Walt's Point, same conditions.  Launch was typical. The air was smooth. About seven minutes into the flight, I was 500' over the saddle and tumbled. I believe I fell into the keel and broke it. Wings folded in and I threw the chute. 
  Landed below the glider between a 100' pine and a jagged stump on a steep slope in a pile of pine needles. It took about 20 seconds from tumble to impact. 
  The only injuries were bruises on my arms from pulling myself up into the control frame to keep from impacting head first. All I can say is make sure your chute works the first time, you may not get a second chance.

Tom launching at Walt's Point

Tom enjoying smooth air

Tom tumbling
Chute deployed, Tom crawls into control frame
(c) 2001 Tom Swanson

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