What happened
On October 7, 2023, at approximately 12:22 local time, a pilot was conducting a recreational flight near La Lisera beach in the Arica region of Chile. The pilot, who possessed 3,500 hours of flight experience, had been flying for roughly two hours before attempting to return to a landing area located on a coastal hillside, a maneuver known as a "top landing."
During this landing sequence, the U-Turn Blacklight 2 paraglider was struck by a sudden wind gust. This atmospheric disturbance caused the wing to collapse, resulting in a violent impact with the terrain. The pilot sustained serious injuries and was evacuated to a medical center by ground transport. While the pilot was injured, the paraglider wing itself remained undamaged, though the pilot's harness sustained damage from the impact.
The investigation
DGAC Chile investigators examined the flight conditions, the equipment, and the pilot's experience. The investigation confirmed that meteorological conditions were generally suitable for visual flight rules (VFR), with prevailing winds from the west at approximately 10 to 15 knots.
Physical inspections of the U-Turn Blacklight 2 wing and the Genie X-Alps harness revealed that the wing's cells, lines, and brakes were in good condition. The investigation also noted that the aircraft was not registered with the DGAC, which is standard for non-motorized ultralight vehicles of this type, and the pilot assumed responsibility for the operation under local regulations. The pilot's medical certification was found to be valid, and the equipment had undergone its required maintenance inspections.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a sudden wind gust that triggered a wing collapse during a complex landing maneuver.
- The pilot was performing a "top landing," a maneuver characterized by high difficulty and complexity.
- The pilot's total flight experience was 3,500 hours, with 2 hours of flight time in the 24 hours preceding the event.
- The total takeoff weight was approximately 97.8 kg, well within the certified flight range of 80 to 105 kg.