Two Pilots Killed in Mid-Air Collision of Paramotors near Włoszczowa

Casualties unknown • Włoszczowo, PL

A mid-air collision between two paramotors during a group flight in Poland resulted in the deaths of both pilots.

What happened

On October 3, 2015, a group of five pilots was conducting a coordinated flight around the boundaries of the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. The flight began in Radoszyce at approximately 06:45. During the flight, two pilots from the group were flying at similar altitudes and headings, positioned slightly ahead of the rest of the formation.

As the flight progressed toward the waypoint of Danków Mały, the two pilots' paths began to diverge from the planned route. One pilot flew over the center of Włoszczowa at approximately 160 meters, while the other bypassed the town to the east. Following this, the pilot flying over the town turned east and then executed a right turn toward a heading of 180-200 degrees. The second pilot also turned toward a 180-200 degree heading. For a period, the first pilot followed the second at a distance of approximately 500 meters.

The second pilot then performed a 180-degree turn back toward Włoszczowa, significantly reducing the separation between the two aircraft. The second pilot subsequently executed a gentle right turn toward the first pilot, further decreasing the distance. While the first pilot initially monitored the second pilot's position, they eventually ceased tracking the other aircraft's flight path.

The collision occurred at an altitude of approximately 100 meters. The second pilot was flying on a heading of approximately 90-110 degrees, directly toward the sun. The flight paths intersected at an angle of approximately 90 degrees, leading to a mid-air entanglement. The first pilot attempted to deploy a reserve parachute, but the deployment was blocked because a camera cable had become entangled with the parachute lines. The second pilot did not deploy a reserve system. Both aircraft struck the ground, resulting in two fatalities.

Probable cause

The primary cause of the accident was the lack of adequate separation between the two paramotors, exacerbated by the second pilot performing maneuvers toward the sun, which hindered visual assessment.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2015-10-03 Dudek Paraglider / Dudek Paraglider accident near Włoszczowo, PL?

A mid-air collision between two paramotors during a group flight in Poland resulted in the deaths of both pilots.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2015-10-03 involved a Dudek Paraglider / Dudek Paraglider, at Włoszczowo, PL.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause of the accident was the lack of adequate separation between the two paramotors, exacerbated by the second pilot performing maneuvers toward the sun, which hindered visual assessment.

Investigation report by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL). Original record: https://pkbwl.gov.pl/raporty/2015-2136/. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the Panstwowa Komisja Badania Wypadkow Lotniczych (PKBWL), Poland.

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