What happened
On the morning of 4 September 2022, a pilot operating a Fly Products (Paramotor) equipped with a Vittorazi Moster engine departed from the Paramotor Desert Adventures Club in Margham, Dubai. The flight was intended to be a routine 45-minute leisure session within the designated OMD26 flying zone.
During the flight, the aircraft's canopy experienced a partial collapse on the left side. In an attempt to recover, the pilot applied excessive braking to both sides of the wing, which induced a stall. Simultaneously, the pilot applied maximum engine power. This combination of high power and heavy braking caused the aircraft to enter a clockwise spiral turn. The resulting torque from the engine caused the suspension lines to twist, leading to an unrecoverable negative spin and a fatal impact with the ground.
The investigation
Investigators from the GCAA AAIS reviewed onboard video footage, the pilot's training records, and the club's operational procedures. The investigation examined the mechanical state of the aircraft, which sustained damage to the propeller blades and the protective cage, as well as a tear in the wing's leading edge.
Technical analysis focused on the aerodynamic interaction between engine torque and brake application. The investigation also looked into the pilot's background, noting his experience in both skydiving and paramotor flying, as well as the regulatory status of the flying club at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the excess and improper application of brakes and engine power during an attempt to recover from a wing stall.
- The pilot's simultaneous use of maximum throttle and heavy brakes induced a torque-driven spiral dive that twisted the wing lines.
- The pilot's dual experience in skydiving and paramotor flying likely contributed to cognitive overload, making it difficult to execute the specific recovery procedures required for a powered glider.
- A lack of recent training in upset recovery was noted, as the pilot's last formal instruction on emergency maneuvers occurred during his initial training 18 months prior.
- The club's tracking system failed to provide continuous location data due to poor mobile network coverage in the area.
- At the time of the occurrence, the flying club had not yet received formal approval from the GCAA.
Safety action
- The AAIS recommended that the club implement enhanced pilot briefings, using video or written materials, to reinforce correct standard recovery procedures.
- The investigation highlighted the need for the club to improve its tracking capabilities to overcome signal dead zones within the flying area.