Glider Crash Pilot Identified

The El Paso County Medical Examiner confirms John Hardy, Sr., 75, is the pilot who died after his glider crashed on the runway at the Horizon Airport on Saturday.

El Paso’s flyer community and the El Paso Soaring Society have remained silent since the crash.

A friend of Hardy’s says he was a long-time flight instructor and tow pilot for EPSS. Hardy was also a former El Paso history teacher.

The crash is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration, and they have not released details on the crash.

Hardy’s friend confirms comments posted on a blog stating that the cause of the crash had to do with the winch EPSS was using to thrust gliders into the air.

Gliders do not have engines and must be forced off of the ground, either by using a winch or a tow plane.

Hardy’s friend confirms EPSS had been using a winch while the group’s tow plane was being repaired.

Hardy was a longtime flyer, flight instructor and tow plane pilot.

Hardy died from injuries related to the crash on Saturday night.