Powered Paraglider Crash in Portugal Results in Serious Injuries

Casualties unknown • Coimbra, PT

A test flight involving a locally manufactured paratrike ended in a collision with a residential fence in Macinhata do Vouga, causing serious leg injuries to a passenger.

What happened

On June 3, 2019, at approximately 19:00 UTC, a powered paraglider (PPG) with landing gear took off from Mesa - Macinhata do Vouga, Portugal. The flight was intended as a test flight to evaluate a newly acquired wing while operating from the aft-seat position. During the flight, the aircraft encountered atmospheric instability, which caused the pilot to lose control of the longitudinal axis. The aircraft subsequently developed significant vertical speed, leading to a downward trajectory that ended with a frontal impact into a fence of a house in the village of Macinhata do Vouga.

The collision resulted in serious injuries to the passenger, who sustained injuries to both legs. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The aircraft, a Condor XL Paratrike featuring an APCO LIFT EU II 450 wing and a Rotax 582 engine, sustained substantial damage.

The investigation

The GPIAAF investigation established that the aircraft was not certified or authorized under current regulations. Furthermore, the pilot was operating under a sports license that, under existing regulations, did not grant the privileges required to conduct this flight. The investigation also found that the aircraft's components did not meet the design approval requirements for single or serial manufacture as mandated by the Civil Aviation Authority. Additionally, the equipment did not demonstrate compliance with international ASTM standards for the assembly and testing of kit-built or production-acceptance aircraft.

Findings

  • The aircraft was not legally certified or authorized for operation.
  • The pilot lacked the appropriate regulatory privileges to conduct the flight.
  • The aircraft components failed to meet established design and manufacturing standards.
  • The aircraft did not comply with ASTM F2563-16 or ASTM F2242-05 standards regarding assembly and production testing.
  • The activity is characterized by a lack of oversight, with equipment often traded and operated without regulatory criteria.
  • Risk analysis practices for this type of operation were found to be ineffective, as evidenced by a history of similar accidents in the region.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by a loss of control during atmospheric instability, compounded by the fact that the aircraft was uncertified and the pilot was operating without the proper regulatory privileges.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2011-11-27 Swing Mistral Twin accident near Coimbra, PT?

A test flight involving a locally manufactured paratrike ended in a collision with a residential fence in Macinhata do Vouga, causing serious leg injuries to a passenger.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2011-11-27 involved a Swing Mistral Twin, at Coimbra, PT.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by a loss of control during atmospheric instability, compounded by the fact that the aircraft was uncertified and the pilot was operating without the proper regulatory privileges.

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