What happened
On July 30, 2016, during a paramotor paragliding competition organized by the Polish Paragliding Association and the city of Bartos and Bartoszyce, a fatal accident occurred involving a Dudek Hadron 34 powered paraglider (PPG). The flight was a tandem operation involving a pilot and a navigator.
During the takeoff sequence at approximately 17:10, the crew prepared the wing in a correct windward orientation. As the takeoff roll began, the wing initially lifted into the wind; however, within 3 to 4 seconds, the wind direction shifted by approximately 45 degrees. This shift altered the wing's direction and necessitated an immediate pilot response. The pilot chose to continue the takeoff roll despite the wing failing to stabilize.
After the initial lift-off, the aircraft briefly touched the ground, with the protective cage striking the earth. The crew continued the takeoff roll toward a gathered crowd and parked vehicles. A second lift-off occurred approximately 10 meters from the spectators. In an attempt to avoid nearby trees and high-voltage power lines, the pilot executed a right-hand turn. This maneuver led to a stall of the paraglider, resulting in a fall from an altitude of approximately 10 meters. The accident resulted in two fatalities.
The investigation
The investigation established that there were no mechanical or equipment failures involved in the accident. However, the investigation revealed that the pilot did not possess valid medical certification at the time of the flight, which is a requirement for operating a powered paraglider. Notably, the medical certification was issued by a medical examiner nine days after the accident, despite the injuries sustained by the pilot during the crash.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the decision to continue the takeoff despite unfavorable atmospheric conditions and the lack of wing stabilization following a sudden wind shift.
- The pilot's attempt to maneuver around obstacles (trees and power lines) induced a stall.