What happened
On the afternoon of 19 March 2024, a pilot was attempting a second flight of the day near the Conor Pass in County Kerry. After completing an earlier successful flight, the pilot returned to the Maughanablagher Cliffs with the intention of soaring the area.
While performing a forward launch, the pilot ran across marshy terrain toward the edge of a steep precipice. During the takeoff run, the Windtech AMBAR 29 canopy moved ahead of the pilot, likely due to a lack of sufficient lift or a possible tailwind component. As the pilot jumped from the cliff edge, the canopy experienced an asymmetric collapse on the right-hand side. This caused the aircraft to dive steeply and enter a spin, leading the pilot to strike the rocky cliff face. The pilot, who was not wearing a helmet at the time, was rescued from the cliff by the Dingle Coast Guard Unit during a nighttime operation.
The investigation
The AAIU investigation examined the pilot's experience, the equipment used, and the prevailing meteorological conditions. The pilot, described as a "confident novice" with approximately 60 hours of flight time, had recently obtained a Club Pilot rating.
Investigators reviewed mobile phone footage from a witness, which confirmed that the canopy shifted forward of the pilot's position prior to the jump and subsequently suffered a partial collapse. The investigation also looked into the condition of the equipment; the manufacturer noted that the canopy was quite old and suggested it should no longer be in use due to potential fabric degradation. Furthermore, the investigation reviewed the weather data, which indicated variable winds and low cloud cover in the area at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The pilot attempted a launch in a northerly direction despite uncertainty regarding the exact wind direction.
- The pilot was not wearing a helmet during the flight.
- The asymmetric canopy collapse was likely caused by insufficient lift, a lack of tension in the control lines, and a possible tailwind component during the launch run.
- The pilot's decision to launch was potentially influenced by the success of a previous flight earlier that day.
- The paraglider used was an older model that the manufacturer advised should not be in flight due to age-related risks.