What happened
On July 26, 2009, a pilot was conducting a private flight in a powered paraglider near Salterstown, Co. Louth. After approximately one hour of flight at an altitude of 500 feet, the pilot attempted a practice forced landing in a nearby field. During the descent, the pilot reduced engine power to idle and began turns to lose altitude.
As the aircraft approached the ground at roughly 20 feet, the pilot realized the glide path had overshot the intended target, bringing the aircraft dangerously close to high-voltage power lines located at the field's far boundary. Although the pilot applied full power in an attempt to clear the obstacle, the decision was made to shut down the engine and execute a hard turn at 5 feet above the ground to avoid a direct collision. While the pilot avoided personal injury, the paraglider's canopy drifted forward and became entangled in the 10,000-volt lines.
The investigation
The AAIU investigation examined the flight path, the aircraft's condition, and the pilot's decision-making process. The investigation established that the aircraft, which featured a Bailey 175 cc 4-stroke engine, sustained minor damage, including scuffing and a small burn hole in the canopy.
To safely remove the entangled wing, the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) had to de-energize the lines, which resulted in a power outage for approximately 87 customers lasting nearly two hours. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's credentials, noting that he held a valid medical certificate and a specific licensing exemption for operating this type of foot-launched powered flying machine.
Findings
Technical analysis revealed that the selection of an unsuitable landing area was the primary cause of the incident. The chosen field contained a significant hazard at the far boundary and was not utilized in the most efficient manner; a landing approach along the field's longer dimension would have kept the power lines parallel to the path, reducing risk.
Contributing factors included:
- A lack of adequate lookout for obstacles.
- Excessive focus on the intended landing spot, which led to the pilot encroaching on the boundary lines.
- The decision to use a field containing a dangerous obstacle for a training maneuver.