What happened
On June 10, 1999, at approximately 16:00, a paragliding accident occurred at the Kiikala aerodrome (EFIK). The pilot, a 29-year-old male, had been participating in winch-assisted paragliding activities. After approximately 30 minutes of active thermalling in turbulent conditions, the pilot initiated a landing approach toward the eastern end of runway 28.
During the final stage of the approach, at an altitude of roughly 40 to 60 meters, the right side of the Edel Sector L wing collapsed by more than 50%. This triggered an immediate asymmetric flight state and a sharp right turn, causing the airspeed to drop nearly to zero. In an attempt to correct the collapse, the pilot may have overcontrolled the wing, leading to a momentary stall. This resulted in a violent oscillating motion (pendulum effect) that drove the pilot toward the ground. The pilot struck the earth feet-first while the wing was still in a partially collapsed or re-inflating state, resulting in a high-speed impact.
The investigation
The investigation examined the pilot's experience, the technical condition of the equipment, and the environmental conditions. The pilot held a PP5 rating and was considered an experienced flyer, though he had relatively little experience with this specific competition-class wing and harness. The investigation also noted that the pilot had driven 500 km by car immediately prior to the flight.
Investigators also reviewed the emergency response, noting that the ambulance faced significant delays because the aerodrome's steel gate was locked, forcing responders to navigate through woods to reach the site. The equipment, including the Edel Sector L wing and the Woody Valley X-Over harness, was found to be in good working order with no mechanical failures identified.