What happened
On 12 June 2021, during a training session at The Heath in Portlaoise, a student pilot was undergoing ground handling instruction in a Macfly/Dudek Nemo 4 Paramotor. The exercise was designed to teach the student how to kite and manage the wing canopy above their head while moving into the wind.
During the fifth attempt of the session, the student was instructed to increase the throttle slightly to assist the run into the wind. However, the student applied excessive power, causing the unregistered aircraft to lift off the ground unexpectedly, reaching a height of approximately 10 to 12 feet.
While the instructor provided commands to flare and release the throttle, the student failed to engage the engine's kill switch. As the aircraft descended and made contact with the ground, the student lost their upright position and fell onto their left side. Because the engine was still running at roughly 30% power, the student's left hand struck the spinning propeller. The impact resulted in serious injuries, including the amputation of the top joint of the index finger and significant tendon damage to the middle finger.
The investigation
The AAIU examined the circumstances of the training, the mechanical state of the aircraft, and the regulatory compliance of the operation. The investigation confirmed that the student was on their second day of training and that the instructor was supervising the session via radio contact.
Investigators reviewed the engine's operation, noting that while the student had reduced the throttle, the failure to use the kill switch kept the propeller spinning during the impact. The investigation also looked into the regulatory status of the aircraft and the instructor's credentials. It was noted that the aircraft lacked the required registration, and while the instructor was highly experienced, the specific requirements for declaring training organizations and obtaining landowner permission were part of the inquiry.