What happened
On 25 June 2022, during a paramotor slalom competition at Savines-le-Lac in the Hautes-Alpes, a pilot flying an Ozone Freeride 17 (registration 36UU) was involved in a fatal accident. The pilot was competing in the "Espoir" category using a trike configuration. While flying in a straight line at an altitude between 100 and 15 and 150 meters, the wing suddenly collapsed, folding forward and striking the pilot's head. The aircraft entered a vertical descent, striking the surface of the lake less than five seconds after the initial collapse. The pilot was fatally injured, and the paramotor was destroyed.
The investigation
The BEA examined the wreckage, meteorological data, and witness statements, including video footage. Investigators noted that the pilot had recently switched wings for the competition after a previous incident involving a different wing. Meteorological reports from Météo-France and nearby pilots indicated that while the air was relatively calm near the ground, significant turbulence was present at higher altitudes. Specifically, pilots in the holding area reported severe turbulence and windshear between 100 and 300 meters.
Technical examination of the Ozone Freeride 17 revealed that the trimmers were set for a dynamic slalom configuration. While the wing's structure was robust, investigators found that the brake line was not routed through the upper pulley, a deviation from the manufacturer's manual. Additionally, a leading edge line was found caught in the propeller protection cage, though it was unclear if this occurred during flight or during recovery. The total flying weight was estimated to be near the upper limit of the wing's recommended range.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a sudden wing collapse while flying in turbulent aerological conditions.
- Local atmospheric conditions were generating severe turbulence at the altitude where the collapse occurred.
- The use of trimmers set for slalom flight increased the wing's sensitivity and the risk of collapse in turbulent air.
- The high total flying weight may have hindered the pilot's ability to reopen the wing after the collapse.