What happened
On October 4, 2019, at approximately 13:00 LMT, an individual arrived at a meadow in Kutno, Poland, to test newly purchased paramotor equipment, specifically an Octagon II engine unit and a paraglider wing. The location was a site frequently used by the Kutno Aviation Association for powered paragliding operations.
While performing ground checks, the individual started the engine and was struck in the head by the propeller. At the time of the impact, the individual was not wearing a protective helmet. Following the injury, the person drove a vehicle several hundred meters away to a nearby driveway, where they exited the car and lost consciousness. A passing motorist discovered the unconscious individual and alerted emergency services. The victim was transported to a hospital, where they subsequently succumbed to their injuries on November 8, 2019. Medical documentation confirmed that the death was directly related to the incident on October 4.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation established that the individual was testing the equipment on the ground with no intention of conducting a flight. The investigation also noted that the individual did not possess the necessary pilot qualifications for the engine unit. While reports suggested the individual had previously undergone training at a flight school, the investigators were unable to verify the specific training center or the completion of such training.