What happened
On the evening of February 3, 2000, a paragliding towing operation took place on the ice of Jalantijärvi in Kylmäkoski. The operation involved a 28-year-old pilot and a 46-year-old tow vehicle driver using a Firebird Cobra 24 paraglider. The wing was being towed by a passenger car using a 150-meter rope attached to the vehicle's tow bar.
After several successful passes, the pilot attempted a fifth tow. During this pass, the pilot adjusted his altitude, causing the wing to fly low and then climb. As the wing reached approximately 20 meters, it began to tilt heavily to the right. The pilot attempted to signal a stop via radio, but the wing entered a lock-out state, rotating 180 degrees. The tow vehicle driver attempted to stop the car to sever the rope, but the wing had already struck the ice at high speed. The pilot sustained multiple serious injuries, including compound fractures to the left thigh and right shin, as well as fractures to the right elbow and upper arm.
The investigation
The investigation examined the technical condition of the equipment, the backgrounds of the individuals involved, and the legality of the operation. Investigators found that the pilot and the driver lacked the necessary qualifications or licenses for paragliding or towing operations. Furthermore, the equipment was found to be in poor condition and had undergone unauthorized modifications. Specifically, the leading edges of the wing had been shortened by approximately 2 and 20 cm using cable ties, and the release mechanism was an inappropriate model used for skydiving rather than paragliding.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a lack of training and resulting poor piloting technique, which led to the wing tilting and entering a lock-out state.
- The pilot's attempt to change altitude caused the airspeed to drop near the stall speed, triggering the uncontrolled descent.
- Unauthorized structural modifications to the wing's leading edges made the aircraft unstable and unpredictable.
- The towing technique was improper; the rope was fixed to the vehicle, preventing the driver from managing tension or releasing the line safely.
- The use of inappropriate and worn equipment, including an unsuitable release mechanism and improperly fitted harness components, contributed to the accident.