What happened
On July 25, 2018, a paramotor tow operation was underway at the Borsk landing field. While the Magnum 2 paraglider was being lifted by a winch at an altitude of approximately 6 to 8 meters, the tow line suddenly snapped. Following the failure of the line, the pilot was forced to perform an emergency landing. The aircraft struck the operational portion of the landing field with significant force.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of events leading to the impact and the physical condition of the occupants. It was established that the pilot had provided pre-flight instructions to the passenger; however, immediately after takeoff, the passenger failed to follow these instructions and shifted their position within the harness. This movement occurred during the critical moments of the tow, leaving the pilot with insufficient time to compensate for the passenger's instability during the subsequent hard landing.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the failure of the tow line at a low altitude.
- The passenger's failure to maintain the correct seated position, despite receiving prior instruction, contributed to the severity of the impact.
- As a result of the hard landing, the passenger sustained a spinal fracture at the L2 level and was transported to a hospital. The pilot remained uninjured.