What happened
On August 8, 2015, at approximately 13:00, an individual operating a paraglider took off near the Garleje settlement, close to Pewl Wielka. Shortly after departure, the aircraft entered an area of turbulent air. This turbulence caused the paraglider to shift position, resulting in the wing striking the treetop. The pilot became suspended in the tree; however, the individual did not sustain any injuries during the incident.
The investigation
The investigation was conducted based on official records provided by the Police. The investigation established that the pilot, a 3/9-year-old male, was operating the aircraft without a valid pilot qualification certificate, although he was reportedly in the process of obtaining one. Additionally, the investigation found that the pilot lacked the mandatory third-party liability insurance. Due to the lack of sufficient information to conduct a full technical analysis, the PKBWL decided to withdraw from further investigation, publishing this information for preventative purposes.
Findings
- The pilot was operating the aircraft without the required pilot qualification certificate.
- The pilot lacked mandatory third-party liability insurance.
- The primary cause of the incident was the pilot's lack of instructor supervision and insufficient knowledge regarding the assessment of flight conditions and personal skill levels, which led to an unsafe takeoff in turbulent conditions.