Kite lines appear to have been a major contributing factor in the crash of a Phillipine Air Force UH-1 helicopter in Lapu-Lapu City in the central Phillipines on Saturday afternoon, April 28, 2007.   Nine people died in the horrific accident and several others were injured according to Phillipine press and military reports. Two of the deceased were air crew members while the remaining seven were civilians struck when the helicopter lost flight stability and crashed into the street.

According to eye witness reports, as the helicopter flew over a market place it briefly came into contact with the nylon lines of three kites flying in the area.  One of the kites was believed to be a poster of a candidate in an upcoming election.

AHN Global News Agency's correspondent Komfie Manalo reported the following in his story filed on Sunday, April 29, 2007:

"Lt. Gen. Horacio Tolentin, commanding general of the PAF, said that investigators found strands of nylon strings two millimetres in diamere entangled with the rotor system of the downed aircraft."

Although it was reported that the engine of the helicopter continued to run until the crash landing, it appeared as though the rotors had stopped moving.

General Tolentin also was quoted as saying that:

"there were no indications of an error or negligence by the pilot. The engine did not stop but witnesses said the rotor had stopped rotating as the helicopter dropped, he said.

He said the strands of nylon string found on the rotor system reinforced the investigators' theory that the accident was caused by a kite that was entangled with the helicopter's rotor.

He said investigators learned that at least three kites were being flown close to the Philippine Air Force base on Mactan Island at the time when the helicopter crashed as it was preparing to land."

In North America, flying kites near airports is strictly regulated by government agencies.  In the United States the regulations are established and enforced by the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).  In Canada the regulations are established and enforced by Transport Canada. The rules in both nations cover the proximity to an air field and the height at which kites can be flown.

This tragic story reminds kiters to be responsible with their kite line and kites in the air.  Safe flying practices should be maintained at all times and kites should constantly be monitored to ensure that there is no danger of breaking away.

Just a little over a year ago, on April 8, 2006, I also posted an entry encouraging kiters to be cautious with their kite line.  In that story, Breakaway Kites Can Pose Major Safety Hazard, I outlined some examples of why kiters need to respect the strength of their kites and kite lines at all times.

Additional attention has been focused on Noor Agha, the talented kite maker of Kabul, who was selected to build kites for the upcoming movie version of The Kite Runner.

In addition to making kites for the movie, Agha was asked to train the two young actors, who play principal characters from  Khaled Hosseini's best seller, to fly kites for the movie.  The skilful flying and fighting of kites in the tradition of Afghanistan is a key part of the story line.

Raju Gopalakrishnan. a reporter for the Reuters News Agency, tracked Noor Agha down in his home on the outskirts of Kabul.  Noor Agha now lives on the only vacant land he could find: -the graveyard of the district he was born in.  He has made a home and location for his kite making business along with his two wives and ten children.

An article in Gulfnews.com based on  Raju Gopalakrishnan's reporting contains two excellent photographs of Noor Agha and his kites. 

An earlier entry in my blog on this topic outlines some additional information on Noor Agha and his role in providing kites for the movie The Kite Runner.

Since the inception of the ban on kite flying by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2005, there has been great confusion over kite flying, kite making and the sale of kites and line in Pakistan.

Kite flying is a very popular and culturally embedded tradition in Pakistan, especially during Basant, the festival that welcomes the coming of Spring to the nation.  Basant is celebrated by people of all religions: Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Christians.

Historically there have been a great many injuries and even deaths attributed to kite flying.  Kite fliers typically take to the roof tops in the crowded cities and some have fallen from their perch to the streets below.  To show off  kite flying skills, participants try to cut each other's kite from the sky.  To enhance the ability to cut through an opponent's kite string, glass coated line is often used. In recent years a type of metallic coating has been applied to the kite line to increase the cutting property.  This metallic line has frequently shorted power lines and caused electrical outages.

One of the most significant dangers of the coated line occurs when it drops into the street and is snagged across trees or power poles.  Motor scooter riders are then in particular danger of being cut on the neck and arms by the sharp line.  Several deaths have occurred in this way.  In addition, there is much carnage to the bird population during this period of kite flying.

All of this led to the ban on kite flying by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2005.  However, the tens of thousands of kite flyers that continued flying in spite of the ban made an enforcement nightmare for the police.  In addition, the ban specified that kite makers and line makers were subject to banishment as well.  This cut into the livelihood of many and added severe economic deprivation to the kite makers.

So, in 2006 some regulations were developed around the original kite flying ban to ensure that kite makers could be licensed and controlled and to permit kite flying under certain safety regulations for a limited number of days during the festival.  This led to continued confusion and even more headaches for the enforcement authorities.  In 2006 the number of deaths and injuries were reduced but not eliminated under the new regulations.

Once again this year, confusion reigns over the issue of making, selling and flying kites in the skies over the major cities of Pakistan.  It is difficult to legislate an end to a practice that is deeply embedded in the culture of a nation.  Kite flying is not likely to disappear so additional education on safe practices will definitely be needed.  For certain, metallic coated line needs to be banned. 

One of the practical solutions to the safety issue for motor scooter riders in urban areas was the development of "kite-string rods" which attach to the bikes to ensure that sharp kite lines are deflected up and over the riders and their passengers.

Speaking at a meeting of All-Pakistan Kite Dealers-Manufacturers Association, the District coordination officer (DCO), Muhammad Ijaz said on February 1, 2007 that  all union council nazims would provide safety kite-string rods to people who had motorcycles registered under their names. Traffic police would take action against people not using helmets and rods, he added.  (Daily Times of Pakistan) 

Other regulations have been developed to define the size of kites that can be produced and marketed by the licensed kite makers and vendors.  For example,  a butterfly kite’s maximum span would be 32 inches and no kite would  be permitted to exceed a span of 40 inches. Another regulation ensures that kites in each region could only be manufactured using local materials. Materials from other cities would require the permission of the district environment officer.  This latter regulation was not seen as a safety regulation, but rather was introduced to ensure that the local kite economy which was being hit hard by the rules would remain viable.  The regulation was intended to discourage the importing of kites from other nations and areas.

The culture of kites in Pakistan is so embedded into the national psyche that it is hoped that these regulations will help to promote safe kite flying while still encouraging the continuance of the unique relationship of kites and kite fighting skills to the people of Pakistan.

The SkySails company of Germany will begin sea trials of it's large 160 square metre kite on an ocean going freighter early in 2007. Designed to provide a kite traction assist to the regular diesel engines of the MV Beluga, the large sail is expected to reduce fuel costs by 15 to 20% by using wind power.

Stephan Wrage, inventor and founder of SkySails, reported in Daily Tech, an Inernet news site about the applications of technology, that "I got the idea on a sail boat a few years ago. I love flying kites and found sailing rather slow. I thought the enormous power in kites could somehow be utilized."

Beluga Shipping, working with Wrage and SkySails, will have one ship outfitted and operational early in 2007. The SkySail will be attached to a mast at the front of the ship and will be utilized whenever wind conditions permit. Unlike a sail on a sailboat, traction kites cannot 'tack' with the wind in the same manner. Thus there may be some wind conditions that do not permit deployment of the sail for a traction boost.

As reported in Daily Tech,  

"Beluga Shipping is a believer in the technology and is currently having its "MV Beluga SkySails" vessel outfitted with a sail and a computer-controlled central steerage unit. The ship will make its maiden voyage early next year. Beluga Shipping CEO Neils Stolberg estimates the SkySail will drop his company's $7,500 daily fuel bill to $6,000.

"You've got to look at new ideas to cope with developments in oil prices," said Stolberg. "When energy prices double in such a short time, you've got to innovate. We won't be able to switch the engines off. But we're confident we can reduce fuel usage -- and cut emissions."

On August 14, 2006 Anne Quemere successfully completed the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean from New York to Brittany in a special boat powered only by a kite.

Anne's historic and epic crossing was noted as follows in her daily journal on her web site:

Launched in New-York (USA) on June 18th, 2006 the Oceankite, piloted solo by Anne Quéméré, crossed the “Ile de Ouessant” this day, after some 55 days of a 3450 (total) nautical mile Atlantic Ocean crossing.
At dawn, weather conditions became extremely difficult, (North-East wind with 30 knot squalls, accompanied by heavy seas and strong currents close to the “Ile de Ouessant”), increased the safety risks. The team that met Anne took the decision to tow the Oceankite because of the heavy sea-going cargo ships.
The crossing thus ended on August 13th, 2006 at 6. 45 PM at 5°50 W. latitude.
The Connétable 2006 Challenge was a true achievement in all fields: the navigator Anne Quéméré completed this solo crossing with a new sailing concept; on the physical plain: the piloting required excellent physical conditioning as well as requiring constant attention. From a technical aspect, the Connétable prototype, conceived and produced by architect Marc Ginisty showed its true capabilities. An extremely difficult weather pattern, accompanied by long periods of calm weather during these 55 days, slowed the crossing of the Connétable.
After crossing the Finish line Anne admitted that this challenge had been more difficult than the previous two, on the Southern Atlantic in 2003 and on the Northern Atlantic in 2004, where she had paddled the complete distance.

The dramatic story of Anne's complete voyage can be found on her web site.  Her accomplishment is a major milestone for kite traction and a personal triumph of determination and careful planning by both Anne and her team.  Congratulations Anne! 

For previous entries on this story see:

• Atlantic Kite Sailing Journey: 8 Kites, 1 Boat and Amazing Anne Quemere
• Anne Quemere Passes Atlantic  Ocean Mid-point in Kite Powered Boat Crossing.