What happened
On August 7, 2019, near Galiny, Poland, a student pilot was participating in a practical ground training session as part of a paramotor flight qualification program. The training session followed an intensive 11-hour theoretical instruction period completed earlier that same day.
During the practical portion of the training, which involved maneuvering the SHAWT 28 paramotor on the ground, a lateral gust of wind caused the aircraft to lift off the ground unexpectedly. An instructor supervising the session provided radio instructions to the student, advising them to increase engine RPM to stabilize the flight and perform a straight-ahead landing. Although the student acknowledged the instructions, they were unable to maintain control of the aircraft. The paramotor descended from an altitude of approximately 15 meters, resulting in a hard impact with a field. The student pilot sustained serious injuries, and the aircraft was damaged.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation established that the training was being conducted by a registered paramotor school. The investigation confirmed that the engine and propulsion system were functioning correctly and remained operational until the moment of impact. Additionally, testing confirmed that neither the student pilot nor the instructor were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was an unintended takeoff of the paramotor.
- The student pilot lost control of the aircraft following the lift-off.
- A contributing factor was the high volume of theoretical training completed on the same day. The student had completed 11 hours of classroom instruction, exceeding the recommended 8-hour daily limit for theoretical training. This excessive instructional load may have negatively impacted the student's concentration during the practical maneuvers.