What happened
On May 31, 2019, at approximately 13:45 LMT, a tandem paraglider flight was being conducted on the northern slope of Góra Żar in Międzybroce Żywieckie. The pilot, an experienced instructor with approximately 3,000 flight hours, had prepared the TANDEM FUSE 2 41 paraglider and secured the passenger for a scenic flight.
During the takeoff run down the slope, the passenger tripped, lost her balance, and fell to the ground along with the pilot. The impact resulted in one injury to the passenger, who suffered injuries to her arm and left ankle. The pilot remained uninjured. Emergency services were notified and transported the passenger to a hospital for treatment.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation confirmed that the pilot held all necessary qualifications, including a valid medical certificate and tandem flight authorization. The pilot was not under the influence of alcohol, and all required third-party liability insurance was in place. The paraglider equipment was found to have a valid flight permit and documentation. Meteorological conditions at the time of the event were within visual flight rules (VMC) and were determined not to have contributed to the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the passenger tripping during the takeoff run.
- The passenger stated that the fall was caused by her improper placement of her left foot while running during the launch sequence.