What happened
On July 5, 2014, during the III Powered Hang Glider Starosta of Nowa Sól Cup competition held in Dąbrowna, near Nowa Sól, an accident occurred involving a Stratus powered hang glider, registration SP-MOOH. While participating in the competition, the pilot was performing turns with a high angle of bank. During one of these maneuvers, the pilot lost control of the aircraft, causing it to strike the ground and catch fire.
Witnesses at the event acted quickly to extinguish the flames and provide immediate assistance to the pilot. Emergency medical services arrived on the scene, and the pilot was transported to a hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during the impact. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the circumstances leading to the loss of control and the pilot's qualifications. Testing confirmed that the pilot had a blood alcohol content of 0.00 mg/l. The investigation established that the pilot held a flight permit issued by the Czech Republic (Letecká Amatérská Asociace ČR), which did not grant authorization to operate powered hang gliders registered in Poland under the ULC registry.
Due to the fact that the aircraft was being operated by an unauthorized person, the PKBWL decided to refrain from a full formal investigation into the accident, notifying the President of the Civil Aviation Authority (ULC) of this decision.