What happened
On May 26, 2019, a paramotor flight in Aroz, France, resulted in the fatal injury of the pilot. The flight began at approximately 10:35 from a field in Bucey‑lès‑Traves. After an initial period of low-altitude turns, the pilot proceeded south and then east, flying along the edge of a forest while gaining altitude.
At approximately 10:45, while cruising at an estimated height of 85 meters, the right side of the ITV Awak 2 wing closed suddenly. This triggered an almost instantaneous total collapse of the wing. As the wing passed behind the pilot, the aircraft lost stability and collided with the ground. The impact occurred less than five seconds after the initial closure.
The investigation
The BEA investigation utilized data from a GoPro-style camera attached to the wing's lines via a makeshift device. Video analysis revealed that the aircraft was experiencing lateral swaying due to turbulence prior to the accident. The investigation also noted that the pilot had released the right brake control approximately two minutes before the collapse.
Technical examinations of the ITV Awak 2 wing, the harness, and the Moster 185 propulsion system showed no mechanical malfunctions. The engine was still functioning at the moment of impact. While the wing showed damage, investigators determined this was caused by contact with the propeller during the crash rather than a pre-existing defect. The investigation also noted that the pilot was not wearing a helmet and that the camera attachment system was found tangled in the wing lines.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the fatal accident:
- Turbulent air conditions: The presence of a forest adjacent to a lighter-colored field likely created thermal-induced convective movements, leading to unstable air.
- Lack of active piloting: The pilot was not holding the right brake control at the time of the closure, preventing him from detecting the initial signs of the asymmetric collapse.
- High-performance wing characteristics: The ITV Awak 2 is a highly reactive "mini-wing" designed for experienced pilots, requiring rapid and precise inputs to manage closures.
- Loss of control acceleration: The pilot's forward and rightward movement, potentially influenced by engine torque, likely accelerated the wing's movement behind the pilot, leaving no time for recovery.
- Equipment interference: The trailing camera system attached to the wing may have physically impeded the wing's ability to reopen.