What happened
On September 1, 2016, at approximately 18:45 LMT, a solo recreational flight involving a Buran Alfa 36 paramotor ended in a fatal impact near Wólka Plebańska, Poland. The pilot had arrived at the EPBP aerodrome earlier that afternoon to perform his first solo flight using this specific wing, which he had owned for several months.
After completing pre-flight checks and configuring the trim to the maximum setting, the pilot departed from the grass area at the edge of the runway. The takeoff was initially successful, with the aircraft climbing to an altitude of approximately 70–80 meters AGL. However, during the climb, the wing began to experience lateral oscillations. The pilot's attempts to manage the flight through control inputs and engine power adjustments were unsuccessful. After increasing the engine throttle to maximum, the aircraft experienced significant lateral banking exceeding 45 degrees and a loss of directional control.
As the aircraft descended, the front of the paramotor carriage struck trees at an altitude of approximately 8–10 meters, causing the wing to enter a dive. The pilot struck the ground at a low speed. Although the pilot was initially conscious and transported to a hospital in Biała Podlaska with injuries to his head and leg, he succumbed to internal injuries on September 4, 2016.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation examined the aircraft configuration, the pilot's experience, and the flight sequence based on witness testimony. The investigation confirmed that the Buran Alfa 36 was in good working order with no hidden defects. The pre-flight configuration, including the trim settings, was consistent with the manufacturer's recommendations for takeoff.
While the pilot was equipped with a flight data logger, the device utilized a looping recording format, which prevented the retrieval of specific flight parameters during the critical moments of the accident. The investigation also reviewed the manufacturer's instructions regarding dangerous flight states, specifically lateral oscillations caused by engine torque and propeller configuration.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the ineffective implementation of the manufacturer's instructions regarding the management of dangerous flight conditions.
- The pilot's lack of experience, specifically performing his first solo flight on this particular wing type, acted as a contributing factor.
- The pilot failed to correctly respond to the onset of lateral oscillations, which led to the loss of control and subsequent impact with trees.