What happened
On November 26, 2021, a paraglider pilot was conducting a recreational flight near the Lo Barnechea commune in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. The flight originated from the Pirámide flight center at Cerro Polanco, Huechorbura, at approximately 15:31 local time. The pilot intended to fly toward the Cerro Gordo sector.
While attempting to land, the pilot applied full throttle to counteract a headwind. During this maneuver, the U-Turn Visión SM wing experienced a symmetric frontal collapse. This was immediately followed by a violent, asymmetric reopening of one side of the wing. The sudden loss of control caused the aircraft to descend approximately 20 meters, impacting the terrain. Due to the low altitude of the collapse, the pilot was unable to deploy the emergency parachute. The pilot sustained serious injuries and was evacuated from the site via helicopter by Search and Rescue (SAR) services.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators examined the flight path, the aircraft, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. The investigation confirmed that the pilot held a valid ultralight non-motorized pilot license and was properly rated for the operation.
Physical inspections of the U-Turn Visión SM revealed no structural damage to the wing, lines, or harness, and the control systems were in good condition. However, investigators noted that the aircraft was not registered with the DGAC, and the operator did not maintain a formal maintenance log to track inspections beyond the manufacturer's 2019 date. Meteorological data from the Chilean Meteorological Directorate indicated clear skies and estimated ascending currents in the area, but no significant weather phenomena were identified as contributing to the crash.
Findings
- The pilot lost control of the paraglider due to a symmetric frontal collapse followed by an asymmetric reopening of the wing.
- The use of 100% throttle to overcome the headwind increased the wing's susceptibility to the initial collapse.
- The low altitude at the time of the collapse prevented the pilot from executing recovery maneuvers or deploying the emergency parachute.
- The aircraft was not included in the DGAC's ultralight non-motorized registry.
- There were no maintenance records available to verify the aircraft's recent service history.