What happened
On June 11, 2023, at approximately 14:30 local time, a recreational flight involving an unpowered ultralight aircraft (paraglider) resulted in a high-energy impact with the ground. The incident occurred in the Las Vizcachas sector, within the Puente Alto commune of the Metropolitan Region. During the landing phase of the flight, the pilot struck the terrain with significant force, leading to severe injuries, specifically a fracture of the lumbar spine.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators examined the site, located roughly 40 meters west of a designated paragliding landing zone. The terrain at the impact site consisted of semi-hard soil and grass at an elevation of 800 meters. While the pilot was wearing a helmet, the emergency parachute was not deployed due to the low altitude at the time of the maneuver.
Regarding the equipment, investigators were unable to inspect the wing itself, as the pilot had sold the aircraft following the accident. However, they identified the harness as an OZONE Oxigen 2+ (size L), manufactured in November 2022. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was not registered with the DGAC, and the pilot was unable to provide a formal flight log to verify the 21:20 hours of flight experience reported verbally.