What happened
On July 28, 2020, a recreational flight involving a powered paraglider (PPG) took place in Kostomłoty Pierwsze, located in the Miedziana Góra municipality. The pilot initiated a takeoff from an area containing buildings. Shortly after liftoff, at an altitude of approximately 15 meters, the pilot noticed that the paraglider was banking sharply to the left and becoming difficult to maneuver.
To avoid flying over the nearby structures, the pilot intentionally deepened the left turn and deactivated the engine. Shortly thereafter, the paraglider struck the ground. The pilot sustained serious injuries as a result of the impact.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation established that following the accident, the pilot inspected the paraglider wing after being discharged from the hospital. During this inspection, the pilot noted that the lines on the left side of the canopy were tangled.
Notably, the investigation determined that the individual operating the aircraft did not possess the necessary qualifications or authorizations to conduct flights in a powered paraglider.