What happened
On February 15, 2020, at approximately 10:10 AM, a paramotor pilot was conducting a training flight at Rybnik-Gotartowice Airport (EPRG). The pilot was flying a newly purchased Warp 16 paramotor wing. Having completed three successful introductory flights earlier that day under the supervision of a more experienced pilot, the pilot departed for a fourth flight alone.
While flying at an altitude of approximately 100 meters, the aircraft entered a high-speed right-hand spiral. The descent was so rapid that the aircraft struck the ground in a field about 100 meters south of the airfield's operational boundary. Although witnesses provided immediate first aid and emergency services, including the Air Ambulance, were dispatched, the pilot sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the aircraft and the circumstances of the flight. The investigation included a technical inspection of the Warp 16 wing at a service center, where the trim system was analyzed. Investigators found that the left and right trim lines were positioned asymmetrically: the left trim was fully released, while the right trim remained fully pulled.
Testing confirmed that the trim mechanism was functioning correctly and that it was impossible for the trim to shift position spontaneously during flight. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's experience, noting that while the pilot had approximately 350 total hours of flight time, they had only a few hours of experience specifically on this high-performance wing type.