Accident Overview
On July 16, 2020, at approximately 15:10 local time, a paragliding accident occurred in the area of Kalympaki, Agios Thomas, Boeotia. The aircraft involved was an Arcus RS Small paraglider, operated by a private individual. The flight was classified as an aerosports flight, and the accident phase was 'in flight.' There was one person on board.
Sequence of Events
The pilot traveled to Mount Kithairon, a designated launch site for aerosports devices near the village of Plataies. After a telephone conversation with a fellow athlete, during which the pilot stated that conditions were ideal for flying and that he felt well both physically and mentally, he took off at 12:36:28. The pilot then moved east, covering a distance of approximately 32 kilometers. The accident occurred at 15:10:12 in the Kalympaki area, near the village of Agios Thomas.
Injuries and Damage
The accident resulted in one fatal injury to the pilot. The paraglider sustained damage to the wing and the harness. Specifically, the wing was found on a fence with tears in the lower surface and leading edge, likely worsened by wind and friction. The harness had its right shoulder strap, left leg strap, and left accelerator strap cut during the rescue process. The helmet showed minor frontal damage and scratches on the visor.
Weather and Equipment
Weather conditions at the time were reported as ideal for flying. The paraglider, a Swing Flugsportgeräte GmbH Arcus RS Small (serial number Ar 141-812161-110181517, built in 2018), was certified in category LTF/EN B and was found to be in good condition aside from impact damage. The reserve parachute (Kortel Design Krisis Rogallo II) was found still in its container with the handle not deployed and safety pins intact, indicating it was not used during the accident. The harness (Advance Thun S.A. Lightness 3-M) provided protection but was damaged during extrication.
Investigation
The investigation was conducted by the Hellenic Air Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Board (E.D.A.A.P.). No probable cause was determined based on the available evidence.