What happened
On June 21, 2024, at approximately 18:00, a paramotor flight consisting of four aircraft departed from Hubale for a sightseeing flight in the Zamość region. The aircraft involved was a PPGG paramotor, featuring an APCO Aviation Ltd. Lift EU II wing and a custom-built trike.
While flying at an altitude of approximately 150 meters, the pilot initiated a descent and a turn toward Zamość, intending to wait for the other three aircraft in the group, which were traveling at a slower speed. Approximately two to three minutes after changing course, the aircraft encountered a strong thermal gust. This turbulence caused the right side of the wing (the trailing edge) to collapse, followed shortly by the left side (the leading edge). The pilot was unable to reinflate the wing before the aircraft struck the ground.
The impact occurred on the left side of the trike. Upon hitting the ground, the vehicle overturned onto its left side, pinning the pilot and the passenger underneath. Other pilots in the formation observed the crash and landed nearby to provide first aid, while another pilot remained airborne to direct emergency services to the site. Emergency medical services and an air ambulance arrived at the scene within 20 minutes.
The crash resulted in serious injuries for both the pilot and the passenger.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation established several regulatory non-compliances regarding the flight operations and equipment. The investigation determined that the pilot was operating without the required medical certificate. Furthermore, the paramotor wing had not undergone the mandatory technical inspection, and the pilot had failed to maintain the required third-party liability insurance.