What happened
On September 21, 2020, at approximately 17:00 LMT, a pilot prepared for recreational flight using a custom-built trike and a borrowed Air-Sport Shaft 26 paramotor wing. During the flight in the vicinity of the Łyna River, an eyewitness observed the aircraft performing pendulum-like oscillations before it disappeared behind a line of trees. A loud impact was heard shortly thereafter.
Upon arriving at the scene, rescuers found the pilot unresponsive. The investigation revealed that the aircraft's front landing gear struck the ground with significant force, causing one wheel to detach and land 7.5 meters away from the trike. Fragments of the propeller and hub were also found near the wreckage. The damage to the engine and airframe indicated that the engine was still running at the moment of impact. The leading edge of the wing sustained multiple tears due to the frontal collision with the terrain, though no other structural damage to the canopy was identified.
The pilot sustained fatal injuries at the scene.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined the wreckage and the pilot's credentials. The investigation established that while the pilot held a PGP qualification with PPG (paramotor) privileges, his logbook had not been updated since 2009. Crucially, the investigation determined that the pilot lacked the specific PPGG qualification required to operate a motorized paramotor.
Findings
- The pilot was operating the aircraft without the necessary legal authorization.
- The aircraft's flight path involved unstable, oscillating movements prior to the crash.
- The impact was a direct result of the aircraft striking the ground, likely following the loss of controlled flight.
Safety action
Following the discovery that the aircraft was being operated by an unauthorized person, the PKBWL notified the police, the prosecutor's office, and the President of the Civil Aviation Authority (ULC) regarding the suspected violation of aviation regulations.