What happened
On April 9, 2015, at approximately 18:45, a pilot was conducting recreational flights near Bliesbruck, France, alongside two other German paramotor pilots. After landing briefly to refuel, the pilot took off again and began performing low-altitude maneuvers. Witnesses observed the pilot performing "wing-over" maneuvers—a series of dynamic turns used to swing the pilot above the wing—at an altitude estimated between 80 and 100 meters. During these maneuvers, the pilot lost control of the Paramania Revo2 paramotor, which entered a spin and collided with the ground. The impact resulted in the death of the pilot and the total destruction of the aircraft. The pilot did not deploy the reserve parachute.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft, which consisted of a Paramania Revo2 wing and a Fresh Breeze Sportix propulsion unit. While the aircraft lacked a formal registration mark due to differing German and French regulatory requirements for this type of ultralight, the wing was found to be in good condition with low flight hours. Structural analysis of the wing revealed damage to three internal ribs on the left side, consistent with a high-impact collision with the ground. No anomalies were found in the lines or the propulsion unit that could have contributed to the accident.
Witness accounts from other pilots and a local resident indicated that the wing appeared to be in a normal, inflated state until the moment of impact. The weather conditions at the time were reported as CAVOK (ceiling and visibility OK) with light winds, providing ideal flying conditions.
Findings
- The pilot was performing a wing-over maneuver, an acrobatic figure that, if poorly executed, can lead to a sudden collapse of the wing tip or a stall.
- The pilot likely experienced a stall during the maneuver, which led to the loss of control.
- The pilot's decision to perform acrobatic maneuvers at an altitude too low to allow for recovery or reserve parachute deployment was the primary cause of the accident.