What happened
On October 9, 2016, a student pilot arrived at the Rybnik airfield to perform an examination flight for their powered paragliding (PPG) qualification. Having completed the first and second stages of training with approximately 20 flight hours, the pilot intended to perform a recreational flight under instructor supervision after the scheduled exam was canceled.
The pilot prepared for takeoff with a light wind blowing at an angle of approximately 30 degrees from the left. During the takeoff roll, the pilot failed to correct the direction of the run to compensate for the crosswind, causing the wing to enter a lateral oscillation, often referred to as a pendulum effect. Despite large control inputs from the pilot and radio instructions from the instructor, the oscillations continued.
At an altitude of approximately 10 meters, the wing experienced a collapse. As the wing pitched backward, the pilot attempted to recover by increasing engine power. However, the gyroscopic effect of the engine caused the pilot to rotate approximately 180 degrees relative to the wing, with a downward pitch toward the ground. During the descent, the pilot released the control lines, allowing the wing to accelerate. The pilot struck the ground on their right side and rolled onto their back, resulting in one fatality. Due to a shoulder injury sustained during the impact, the pilot was unable to shut off the engine; the instructor eventually reached the site to deactivate the motor.
The investigation
The investigation examined the takeoff sequence, the pilot's reaction to the crosswind, and the mechanical influence of the engine during the loss of control. The inquiry focused on the pilot's failure to maintain the correct heading and the subsequent aerodynamic and gyroscopic forces acting on the NEMO XX 20 with Monster Plus engine during the wing collapse.