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Two Killed In Glider Crash In Grand Teton National Park

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Published Date

June 9, 2018

A glider crashed in Grand Teton National Park on Saturday, killing two/Kurt Repanshek file

An Idaho woman and her passenger were killed Saturday when a glider making a scenic flight over Grand Teton National Park crashed in the park.

The glider was reported missing about noon when it failed to return from a flight that started out from Driggs, Idaho. The call was being investigated by the Teton County (Wyoming) Sheriff's Office as initial indications were that the glider and individuals might have been located south of the park boundary. 

As park crews were mobilizing to assist Teton County Sheriff's Search and Rescue, the park received information that one of the individuals' phones was pinged and it indicated a location in the park, a park release said. 

"An independent helicopter then contacted the park that they saw what they believed to be glider wreckage in the park," the release said. "Park rangers flew to the site, confirmed it was the glider and that there were two deceased individuals. The wreckage was located between the Middle and South Teton, above Icefloe Lake at approximately 10,800 feet."

Park rangers recovered the two bodies via a long-line aerial operation. The glider pilot was identified as Kristine Ciesinski, 65, of Victor, Idaho.  The name of the other individual will not be released until next of kin notifications have been completed. 

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Comments

Submitted by Anonymous on June 10, 2018 - 12:02am.

Condolences to loved ones and families  


Submitted by Jessica on June 10, 2018 - 1:38pm.

I know who the second victim is and my heart goes out to the family. 


Submitted by Courtney on June 10, 2018 - 6:27pm.

Was it someone that knew Kris? I'm devasted over the news of Kris being gone but I've been curious about who else was with her because I know she often takes people up that she knows. 


Submitted by a fellow pilot and instructor on June 10, 2018 - 11:18pm.

either the airplane broke up in flight or it was a medical event. kris was a true professional and was a tough as nails pilot. the winds can always be unpredictable at that altitude in that area and a bunch of sinking air would be no good if there were not an escape area. i never went back in there solo. always felt freaky about that. never went solo much past 5 miles east of the foothills. too damn unpredictable. beware, sinking air.


Submitted by Joe Caudle on June 13, 2018 - 4:44pm.

Kris and Norman hosted us and two of our daughters nearly 20 years ago in their home.  My wife Linda and her friend Cindy were Kris's friends at Newark High in Newark, DE.  Kris and Norman were towering talents in the opera world.  Our daughter Lauren loves opera, but Kris counseled her not to pursue opera professionally if she wanted a family.  It was good advice: Now Lauren and her husband Matt have three wonderful children. 

Opera was Kris's and Norman's "first" life.  Kris loved flying, and they both sang for benefits locally in their "second life" in Idaho.

We had an unforgetable experience gliding with Kris, and meeting Harrison Ford in the process.  I still remember doing a 16 point roll that made Grand Teton look as if it was spinning around us.  Norman, we grieve for you:  Kris was the epitome of a talented, brave and caring woman.  Even though we haven't seen you for years, we have "kept up" with you and Kris through Ciindy.  We know you will miss her.

May God bless her and hold her--and you, too, Norman.


Submitted by Rick B. on June 13, 2018 - 11:30pm.

The 'Temp Anon' just above was me. I was away from the house and without my passwords.


Submitted by one of her friends on June 14, 2018 - 1:47am.

wind driggs, id (kdij) jun 9, 2018

9am calm

10am 11.5 gust to 16.1

11am 16.1 gust to 23.0

12pm 20.7 gust to 25.3

strong winds until 10:43pm when frontal passage windshift occurred.

strong pre-frontal passage wind at the surface. add 30% velocity at 12000 ft.


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