What happened
On November 26, 2010, a pilot was conducting a series of test flights near Przyłogi, Poland, using a Dudek Nucleon 29 powered paraglider (PPG) equipped with a Techno Fly Vento 125 engine. The pilot had implemented unauthorized structural modifications to the wing's line system to intentionally induce collapses for testing purposes.
During the fifth test flight, the pilot attempted the maneuvers with increased dynamism. After reaching an altitude of approximately 500 meters, the pilot successfully induced a collapse on the right side of the wing. While the wing reinflated quickly, the pilot performed a second collapse at a much lower altitude of approximately 250 meters. During this second maneuver, the right wingtip became entangled in the lines, forcing the aircraft into a fatal spiral dive. Despite the low altitude, the pilot attempted to recover the wing by pumping the controls rather than deploying the reserve parachute. The aircraft struck the ground, resulting in the death of the pilot.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the aircraft's configuration, the pilot's medical status, and the flight sequence. Investigators found that the pilot had modified the wing's line arrangement without consulting the manufacturer or the Civil Aviation Authority. The investigation also reviewed footage from cameras located both in the air and on the ground, which captured the sequence of the collapse and the subsequent entanglement.
Findings
- The pilot had performed unauthorized structural modifications to the wing's suspension lines to facilitate controlled collapses.
- The right wingtip became entangled in the lines during a low-altitude maneuver, triggering a spiral dive.
- The pilot failed to deploy the reserve parachute system despite the critical nature of the situation.
- Post-accident analysis of the pilot's personal effects revealed elevated levels of Citalopram, an antidepressant. Under the medical regulations in effect at the time (JAR-FCL 3), the use of such medication rendered the pilot temporarily unfit for flight due to potential impairments in concentration and vision.
- The aircraft was being operated in a manner that violated aviation regulations due to the unapproved modifications and the pilot's medical status.