What happened
On June 30, 2012, at approximately 19:30, a Synthesis Cabrio 42 paramotor was conducting a sightseeing flight with one passenger. The flight path was planned from Nowa Wieś to Błotnica and back. During the flight over Błotnica, the passenger was intended to drop flowers onto a property where a family event was taking place. To facilitate this, the pilot descended to an altitude of between 50 and 70 meters.
While flying over a built-up area, one of the propeller blades detached from the engine, causing the engine to cease operation. Because the aircraft was at a very low altitude, the pilot was forced to perform an immediate emergency landing within a confined space between buildings. During the maneuver, the paramotor's trike struck an apple tree, which caused the vehicle to rotate 180 degrees before coming to a stop in bushes in front of a residential wall. The paramotor wing subsequently landed on the roof of the building.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the mechanical failure of the engine and the flight parameters at the time of the accident. The investigation established that the aircraft was operating at an altitude significantly lower than the regulatory minimum for flying over populated areas. The investigation also noted that the pilot held valid qualifications (PPGG, CP, and PPD), although the physical certificate had not been signed by the holder.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the mechanical failure of the propeller, specifically the detachment of a blade, which led to engine failure.
- The pilot was operating at an altitude of 50–70 meters over a built-up area, which violated the requirement to maintain a minimum altitude of 150 meters when flying over residential settlements or gatherings of people.
- The low altitude at the time of the engine failure left the pilot with insufficient time and height to avoid obstacles, necessitating the emergency landing in a restricted area.
- The impact with a tree and the subsequent rotation of the trike caused damage to the propeller, the trike, and several tears in the paramotor wing.