What happened
On October 7, 2013, a student paraglider was conducting a training flight near the Bezmiech and Górna landing site. The pilot, who was undergoing training for a qualification certificate, had previously completed several flights in 2012 and had performed three check flights on October 5, 2013. The aircraft used was an Airdesign Vita S paraglider.
Following instructions from an instructor, the pilot executed a takeoff and performed a 120-degree turn, intending to fly straight toward a designated landing area. During the flight, the pilot realized that the rate of altitude loss would prevent reaching the intended landing zone. Rather than selecting an alternative landing site, the pilot continued toward the original target. The flight ended when the pilot landed in a roadside ditch located near a bend in the road. The landing was not on level ground and involved striking the terrain with the harness protector rather than the legs.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the pilot's decision-making process and the mechanics of the landing. The investigation established that the pilot recognized the inability to reach the designated area but failed to adjust the flight path to avoid terrain obstacles. The investigation also examined the physical impact of the landing, noting that the pilot's legs were not the primary point of contact with the ground.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a landing technique error, specifically landing on the harness protector instead of the legs.
- A contributing factor was the pilot's failure to correct the flight direction to avoid landing in a ditch.
- The pilot sustained a compressive spinal fracture as a result of the impact.