Second KAP Accident (at Petersham Meadows)

On the 21st of May 2004 one of the beefy 250lb breaking strain swivels unravelled when I was flying my FF30 at Petersham Meadows by the Thames near Richmond Bridge. This time the rig was attached and flying at 100 feet. It fell into a grassy field while the kite and frilly tail drifted out of sight over tall trees.

I recovered the rig, which was badly damaged. The Ixus was also injured, the projecting lens assembly being twisted to one side so that it would not withdraw into the case when the camera is switched off. I was somewhat surprised by the amount of damage to the rig. Although it had fallen quite a distance the field in which it landed is pasture for cows - the grass is both thick and tall and the ground soft and boggy. As you can see from the damage to the rig's tripod legs and the buckled outer U-frame, the impact must have been quite severe.

Click on the image below for a larger version.

After gathering up the remains, winding in the line and packing up my gear, I drove off to look for the kite. Beyond those trees lay the German School at Ham and beyond that Ham Polo Ground, both of which are surrounded by many tall trees. I was not expecting much - far too many trees for the kite or tail to catch on, but when I arrived at Ham Polo Ground there was the kite and tail lying in the middle! The picture on the left, taken minutes before the accident, shows Petersham Meadows in the foreground. You can just make out the green area of the Polo Ground among the trees

At first I thought that once again I'd been let down by a swivel, but from closer inspection it seems clear that I just didn't fasten it properly. The hook at the end was still clearly OK. Even so I have decided that from now on I'll do as many other Kappers do and simply use a larks head.