What happened
On 18 September 2022, at approximately 16:00 hrs, a powered hang glider launched from an agricultural field located near Miltown Malbay, County Clare. The aircraft, consisting of an Airwave Magic 166 wing and a Swedish Aerosport Mosquito Motor Harness, was being operated by a single pilot.
According to eyewitness accounts, the pilot successfully launched the craft, but shortly after becoming airborne, the pilot moved their legs backward into the harness. This movement caused the aircraft to jerk, subsequently veering to the left and pitching rapidly toward the ground. The aircraft traveled less than 100 meters from the launch point before impacting the terrain. The pilot sustained fatal injuries during the impact.
The investigation
Investigators examined the wreckage at the accident site and noted several points of damage to the equipment. The engine's two-bladed propeller showed significant distress; one blade had broken into three pieces, with a fragment embedded in the wing, while the second blade suffered tip damage. This propeller failure resulted in tears in the wing structure. Additionally, the aircraft frame sustained minor dents, and the strut-mounted variometer was found detached from the unit. Witnesses also noted that the engine remained running following the impact.