Parachute was not deployed in fatal southern Alberta glider crash: TSB

A pilot operating a glider was killed in a crash in southern Alberta on May, 29, 2024. (CTV News)

An investigation into a fatal glider crash in southern Alberta last year confirmed the pilot managed to get out of his aircraft, but his parachute failed to open.

The Transportation Safety Board (TSB) released its investigation report on the May 29 crash, south of Highway 7 between Diamond Valley and Okotoks.

It stated that approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the pilot “jettisoned the canopy and exited the aircraft,” but his parachute did not open. He subsequently died from his injuries.

Kerry Stevenson, 65, was identified as the pilot of the glider at the time.

The incident occurred during the Canadian National Soaring Championships, hosted by the Cu Nim Gliding Club.

The TSB report said the glider departed from the Black Diamond/Cu Nim Aerodrome just after 1 p.m.

The glider was in the air for around 23 minutes before it stalled and entered an “incipient spin.” Shortly after recovering from the spin, the canopy was ejected.

“Observers at (Black Diamond/Cu Nim Aerodrome), who were attending to the returning gliders, saw something fall from the glider and realized it was the canopy, followed shortly by the pilot bailing out of the glider with no visible parachute canopy,” the TSB report states.

“The glider then pitched up and entered a spin to the left and collided with terrain, resulting in substantial damage.”

The pilot hit the ground and was fatally injured.

The first group of gliders left the aerodrome around 12:30 p.m.

The TSB report notes conditions for gliding were poor because there was very little lift in the atmosphere. Those gliders returned to the aerodrome after flying for less than 20 minutes.

TSB said the pilot involved in the crash had been gliding for almost 30 years, had approximately 750 hours on gliders, and held a glider pilot licence and a valid category three medical certificate at the time of the incident.

The report states the pilot had conducted five flights in the 12 months leading up to the crash, including two as part of an annual flight review.

“During these flights, stalls, spins, and steep turns were reviewed amongst other manoeuvres,” TSB said.

The glider involved was a single-seat Sportinė LAK-17B FES. A technical examination of the glider did not reveal any issues with its systems or flight controls, TSB said.

The glider was purchased in the summer of 2023, but some minor maintenance was required for importation. It remained in Invermere, B.C., until four days before the soaring competition.

Parachute condition

The condition of the parachute was also assessed. After an investigation by the Canadian Armed Forces Third Party Parachute Inspections group, two issues were detected.

“The last repack was 14 March 2023 and the next repack, due on 14 January 2024, had not been completed,” the report states.

“The parachute assembly was 26 years old at the time of the occurrence, exceeding the parachute, harness and container manufacturers’ recommended service life of 20 years.”

TSB notes, however, that the service life recommendation is advisory and the “final determination of the parachute system’s serviceability lies with the parachute rigger who packs and certifies its airworthiness.”

The report concluded that the parachute system was in serviceable condition, other than noted damage to the container system and cable housing, which typically occurs due to a “significant impact with the ground.”

TSB noted that the pilot had only practised exiting the glider while it was on the ground and there was no record he had ever skydived.

The report emphasizes the effects stress can have on human performance.

“In extreme, stressful scenarios, otherwise very simple tasks can become impossible to perform,” TSB said.

“It is important that an individual regularly practise an emergency task in order to become familiar with the scenario and perform ‘automatically,’ without unmanageable demands on their cognitive resources.

“They should pay particular attention to the glider’s flying characteristics (slow flight/stall/spin) before performing steep turns at low speeds (such as while thermaling) in demanding conditions and close to the ground."

Ultimately, the report encourages pilots to be proficient in the use of safety systems such as an emergency parachute. Sufficient time should also be given to learn the systems and emergency procedures of an unfamiliar aircraft.

Kerry Stevenson remembered

The Cu Nim Gliding Club described Stevenson as a long-serving member and past president who helped shape the flying careers of many glider pilots over the years.

“In his life away from the gliding club, Kerry was a husband, a father, a grandfather, a Realtor, a motorcyclist, a dog dad and many other beloved titles,” the club said in a statement in May.

“Kerry will be fondly remembered and missed by members of the gliding club and members of the many communities where he contributed.”

He worked with Royal LePage as a realtor for several decades.