What happened
On July 29, 2025, at approximately 14:52 UTC, a paraglider accident occurred on the southeastern slope of Ranské hory, Czech Republic. The pilot was conducting ground handling practice on a training area at the northwest edge of the hill. At the time, the area was experiencing northwest winds of 6–10 m/s.
During the training session, the pilot took off from the middle of the training field with the intention of attempting ridge soaring. Shortly after takeoff, a strong wind gust pushed the Magic M upward and backward toward the crest of a nearby hill known as "malá boule." Despite the pilot having the speed bar fully engaged, the aircraft could not maintain progress against the wind and was pushed over the ridge.
Once behind the crest, the paraglider entered a zone of intense turbulent rotor air. This caused the leading edge of the wing to collapse multiple times, eventually forcing the aircraft into a spiral dive. The pilot lost control and struck the slope at high velocity. Although the pilot was conscious and able to communicate with arriving fellow pilots, she sustained fatal injuries and passed away in the hospital the following day.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the aircraft, the meteorological conditions, and the pilot's actions. The investigation included witness statements from other pilots on the scene, a technical inspection of the paraglider, and a forensic medical examination.
Technical analysis confirmed that the Magic M was in airworthy condition, with no mechanical defects contributing to the accident. The medical examination ruled out any sudden health impairment or impairment due to alcohol or drugs as a cause for the pilot's actions. The investigation also reviewed the wind conditions, noting that the wind speeds and gusts were significantly high for the type of flight being attempted.