What happened
On May 1, 2008, a pilot was operating a Fides 2M paramotor near Głubczyce, Poland. While flying along a public road leading from Głubczyce toward Gadzowice, the pilot performed two turns over a series of garden plots. During this maneuver, at an altitude of approximately 6 to 8 meters above the ground, the aircraft struck high-voltage power lines spanning the road. The pilot sustained injuries and passed away in the hospital three days after the accident.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the circumstances of the flight and the pilot's altitude. Investigators were unable to identify any witnesses who could confirm that the pilot had descended to such a low altitude due to engine failure or propulsion issues. Instead, the information gathered regarding the flight sequence indicated that the pilot was flying at such a low altitude intentionally.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was flying at an excessively low altitude.
- A lack of proper situational awareness and improper distribution of attention while operating at low altitude contributed to the collision with the power lines.