What happened
On 5 July 2020, a student pilot was performing a solo instructional flight in an ITV Boxer 2 paramotor trike, identified as 82-OT, near Pommevic, France. The flight was intended to be a runway circuit under the supervision of an instructor remaining on the ground.
During the initial climb, the aircraft began to experience oscillations in roll. The instructor, monitoring the flight from the ground, attempted to provide corrective instructions via radio. However, the student pilot was unable to stabilize the aircraft. The rolling movement intensified, leading the paramotor to strike a powerline approximately one kilometer from the runway threshold. The aircraft subsequently collided with the ground. The accident resulted in one fatality and the destruction of the aircraft.
The investigation
Investigators examined the aircraft, the student's training history, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. The student pilot had been training since 2018 and had only completed one previous solo flight. The aircraft, an Adventure Fun Flyer trike powered by a 26 hp Simonini motor, underwent inspection, which revealed no mechanical defects or damage to the wing that could have contributed to the crash.
Weather conditions were reported as CAVOK with a light 3kt west wind. The investigation also focused on the communication between the instructor and the student. While radio contact had been tested prior to takeoff, the instructor noted that the student did not follow instructions to release the controls and maintain constant power. A witness near the runway axis observed the aircraft swinging side to side and noted hearing the instructor's voice over a loudspeaker following the impact.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was inappropriate pilot inputs on the controls, which induced and amplified a roll oscillation.
- Engine torque from the propeller may have contributed to the initial instability during takeoff.
- Uncoordinated control inputs, particularly regarding the wing or engine, likely exacerbated the developing oscillations.
- There was a potential failure in the student pilot's ability to receive or execute radio instructions, possibly due to a communication link issue or the pilot's focus on the developing movement.