What happened
On December 28, 2012, at approximately 12:30 local time, a student paramotor pilot was preparing for his second instructional flight at a farm in the Guimarães region of Portugal. The aircraft, a SWING Arcus wing powered by a SIMONINI M2 engine, had no formal registration.
During the engine startup phase, a fire ignited immediately after the pilot engaged the starter. The fire spread rapidly across the engine unit and the pilot's body. The pilot sustained fatal injuries resulting from burns covering 30% of his body, including damage to the airway. The engine unit was destroyed in the fire.
The investigation
The GPIAAF investigation, based on judicial records from the Court of Guimarães, examined the wreckage and the circumstances of the flight. Because the investigators were not present at the scene at the time of the accident, the analysis relied on technical expertise provided by ANAC regarding the engine components.
Technical examination of the engine components revealed that the motor block and starter showed no signs of significant wear or oxidation, suggesting the engine was generally well-maintained. However, the investigation focused on the electrical relay used for the starter. This specific relay model was not sealed, making it permeable to fuel infiltration. The investigation also noted that the wing (parachute) remained in good condition, indicating it had not yet been inflated or been in contact with the fire's primary spread.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the ignition of spilled fuel caused by an electrical spark from a non-sealed starter relay during the engine start sequence.
- The pilot was likely unaware of the need to clean spilled fuel following the refueling process.
- The pilot lacked the necessary flight license, student pilot certificate, and proper training for the specific equipment.
- The instructor involved did not possess the required flight instructor ratings/certifications.
- The use of non-flame-retardant clothing likely contributed to the rapid spread of the fire to the pilot's body.
- There was no fire extinguisher readily available at the site to suppress the initial flame.
- Contributing factors included the potential for fuel to have overflowed from the tank due to overfilling or excessive engine tilt, and a lack of proper pre-flight inspections.