Two Down! (Boulder, CO midair collision)

[MarkGrubb]

Condolences to all.

This incident brought back a chilling memory:

I did my commercial glider checkride in Boulder with Bruce Miller in 1979. We towed out as usual and arrived at release altitude. Prior to release, I did my usual visual clearing looksee, focusing on "up and right" and "down and left" and did not release.....

Bruce started criticizing me for blowing past our release altitude and I pointed out the circling glider 500 ft low and left of us. If I had punched off, it is very likely that the tug would have rolled of and through the glider, even if he was looking as it was low and behind him.

Bruce thanked me and gaver me my ticket, even though one of my landings truly sucked. Boulder has alwyas been a busy place that I avoided due to the mix of aircraft types and agendas. Friends tell me it has gotten far worse since I left CO in the late 1980's.

I would not be surprised if the Boulder people raise a cry and hue to remove gliders from the airport.

[mountainmatt]

Mark, I hope that's not the case. I wouldn't be surprised, but I would be deeply saddened.

I've heard lots of stories about Bruce over the years.

[scout]

This post I found on SC.org. I think it was well written so I pasted it here.

The dash in the cirrus is a lot lower than say a cessna 182 and the approach is more nose down. I doubt it was the lack of a good view that caused the problem.
That said the cirrus is a fast plane and all the info on the glass could be distracting.

I had a real eye opener last week. I went flying with two friends, one in a yellow cub and one in a white cessna 150 with a sage green stripe. We where looking at some back country strips in utah and the ground had spotty snow cover with sage brush poking through. The cessna was in the lead with the two yellow cubs following behind and to either side.
While it was easy to keep the cub in view I lost sight of the cessna numerous times. I would look to the side or down and when i looked back it was like it magicly disapeared. I would start scanning like crazy and finally find it right where i left it when it flew over a bare spot. The only way to really keep him visably was to fly below him so he was outlined against the sky.

My point being is I knew the plane was there but had it been coming the other way at a close rate of 200-300 mph i would never of found it in time. I have to wonder if the glider and or tow plane where white. The cirrus was probably decending and I'm sure the ground was snow covered.

After we landed I mentioned how hard it was to see the cessna and the other cub pilot said he had the same problem. (never lost sight of the cub that yellow really stands out)

I think given the right ground clutter, a high close rate, and a mometary distraction it could happen to any of us.

[AvidFlyer]

Every Cirrus I've ever seen was white

[mountainmatt]

The glider is white with a few logo markings. The Pawnee was white with a black and brown stripe and a logo. Ground was covered with patchy snow and some clouds were present.

There is a few pictures of the actual flight floating around the internet.

The funeral is Monday.

[cubscout]

MountainMatt, if appropriate, when and where is the memorial Monday? Or if better PM me.

There are lots of folks still grieving out there that aren't plugged in yet... Bruce Miller's memorial re-connected a lot of people.

Thanks. cubscout