What happened
On February 27, 2016, a paramotor pilot was conducting flights near Smardzko, Poland. After completing a successful first flight, the pilot prepared for a second flight. The aircraft, a Dudek Paragliders Hadron 24 equipped with a Solo 210 engine, took off without initial difficulty.
During the second flight, while at an altitude of approximately 50 meters, the pilot entered a light turn and encountered an unexpected gust of wind. This caused a leading-edge collapse of the wing. Although the pilot attempted to use the control lines according to manufacturer recommendations, the wing failed to recover, resulting in a rotation and a rapid loss of altitude. The pilot struck the ground, sustaining fatal injuries.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's weight, the pilot's experience, and the atmospheric conditions at the time of the accident. The total takeoff weight was approximately 116 kg, which exceeded the manufacturer's recommended limit for non-acrobatic flights by about 10%. Investigators also reviewed the pilot's flight history, noting a total of approximately 60 flight hours, and analyzed the weather conditions, which were clear with a light 2 m/s wind.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an unintentional encounter with turbulence, likely caused by thermal development due to high solar radiation.
- The pilot's relatively low level of experience (60 hours) was insufficient for managing a high-performance wing like the Hadron 24 during an emergency.
- The pilot's recent long break from flying may have contributed to an inadequate reaction to the wing collapse.
- The aircraft's weight was at the upper limit of the manufacturer's suggested range, which alters the wing's behavior.
- There was insufficient pre-flight preparation regarding the analysis of local weather forecasts and the potential for thermal activity.
- The pilot was not carrying a reserve parachute.