Update On Fatal Glider Crash On Mauna Loa

Additional details have been provided on the fatal glider crash that occurred on Mauna Loa last Friday. David Bigelow, 69, a former Air Force fighter pilot who flew in Vietnam and commercial pilot with Continental and Aloha Airlines, was towed in his glider from the Waimea Airport to the Island of Hawaii on January 16th for an attempt to set a record by soaring to 40,000 feet. Bigelow’s last communication was just after 1 p.m., at which time he said that he was at 28,000 feet over Mauna Kea and was heading toward 13,677-foot Mauna Loa. The glider was reported overdue later that afternoon. Coast Guard, Hawaii Fire Department, Civil Air Patrol and volunteer aircraft joined in the search on January 17th. Debris was spotted that afternoon, but weather conditions precluded a landing at the site. On January 18th, rangers were flown to the main debris site, found Bigelow’s body, and began an accident investigation. Additional debris was spotted within the park and residents of Volcano Village have turned in pieces of the glider found in their yards. The investigation resumed at the site yesterday. Pieces of the glider were moved to the CAP hanger in Hilo for assembly and investigation by the NTSB and FAA.