What happened
On September 24, 2020, at approximately 13:10 local time, a recreational paragliding flight ended in a fatal accident near Mieroszów. The pilot had launched from a nearby site, utilizing thermal currents to reach a maximum altitude of approximately 888 meters. While flying over the landing area at an altitude of about 190 meters, the aircraft encountered highly unstable air. The pilot had entered a thermal column characterized by rapid fluctuations, transitioning from a strong lift of 3.5 m/s to a sudden sink of 1.5 m/s.
During this transition, the leading edge of the NOVA SECTOR paraglider collapsed. The wing deformed, with the tips curling downward, and began to oscillate violently. This instability led the aircraft into a series of flat turns before transitioning into a high-speed spiral dive. The pilot was positioned horizontally due to centrifugal forces during the rotation. Approximately nine seconds after entering the spiral, the pilot struck the ground with his back protector at a vertical descent rate of 15.7 m/s. Despite immediate resuscitation efforts by witnesses, the pilot died at the scene.
The investigation
The PKBWL examined GPS flight data, meteorological conditions, and the physical state of the equipment. The investigation analyzed the variometer readings, which confirmed significant turbulence and rapid altitude changes. The investigators also examined the pilot's reserve parachute, which remained unopened and was found lying near the pilot after the impact, partially unraveled.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the sudden transition from rapid ascent to significant descent, which caused the leading edge of the wing to collapse and initiated the spiral dive.
- The pilot did not deploy the reserve parachute. While the investigation could not definitively determine why, possibilities included the pilot being incapacitated by high G-forces (uptaining 3.6 g), insufficient time due to the low altitude (the spiral began at 150 meters), or the potential for lines and risers to have tangled and blocked the pilot's arm movement.
- Contributing factors included unfavorable meteorological conditions and the low altitude at which the spiral dive commenced.