Accident Summary
On Tuesday 8 May 2018, at approximately 14:34:51 local time, a paraglider accident occurred near the location 'Fourni' in the area of Agios Nikitas, Lefkada. The pilot, an Austrian national on a short vacation combined with paragliding flights, was fatally injured after his paraglider struck a steep cliff face. The accident was investigated by the Hellenic Air Accident Investigation and Aviation Safety Board (HAAIASB).
Flight History
The pilot was part of a group of six foreign paraglider pilots who had been on Lefkada since Saturday 5 May 2018 for flying activities. On the day of the accident, the group traveled to a natural takeoff site near the 'Kathisma' area. The pilot launched at 14:14:01 local time, being the last to depart. At launch, wind conditions were from the north/northeast at no more than 4 km/h. After takeoff, the pilot flew north for about 400 meters to a broad hill at the northern end of Kathisma beach. He remained in this area for approximately 17 minutes, then moved southwest over the landing area at Kathisma beach before reversing course back north. After passing the hill separating Kathisma and Mylos beaches, he entered a small cove with a steep slope. The paraglider then collided with the slope, resulting in severe injuries. The total flight duration was 20 minutes and 50 seconds. The pilot did not deploy his reserve parachute. Immediately after the fall, he was conscious and used his VHF radio. Fellow pilots observed the fall and alerted authorities.
Pilot Information
The pilot was a 60-year-old male, Austrian citizen and resident, and a member of the Austrian Aero Club (ÖaeC). He held a paraglider pilot license (No. P-18370) issued on 20 September 2005 by the ÖaeC, with cross-country endorsement. He also held a motorized paraglider license which had expired on 29 October 2015. He did not possess an FA1 International Pilot Proficiency Information Card (IPPI), which is required in some countries for flight operations.
Paraglider Information
The paraglider was a GIN Gliders Inc. model ATLAS L, serial number BDO/-Q610/90D, year of manufacture 2015, built in South Korea. The type was a paraglider (Hang Glider – Paraglider). No registration applies. The main paraglider was left on the cliff after rescue personnel cut the harness straps to recover the pilot.
Meteorological Information
At the time and location of the accident, weather information is based on pilot reports. At takeoff, wind was from the north/northeast at less than 4 km/h. No other meteorological data are specified in the report.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The accident site coordinates are 38°46'94.3"N, 020°36'21.0"E, at an elevation of 25 meters above mean sea level. The pilot's variometer was partially damaged. His GPS device was recovered and analyzed. The paraglider canopy remained on the cliff and was not recovered due to safety concerns.
Medical and Survival Aspects
The pilot sustained fatal injuries, as recorded in the official report. Toxicology tests are not mentioned in the source. The pilot did not use his reserve parachute.
Probable Cause
The probable cause of the accident, as determined by the investigation, was loss of control of the paraglider by the pilot due to insufficient altitude to perform recovery maneuvers.