What happened
On August 5, 2009, at approximately 12:20 UTC, a commercial tandem paraglider flight departed from the Gerlitzen takeoff site in Carinthia, Austria. The pilot was operating an Independence Speed paraglider for a scheduled commercial flight carrying one passenger.
Immediately following takeoff, it was discovered that the harness was not properly connected. This error caused the pilot to be positioned to the right of the passenger rather than behind them. In an attempt to compensate for this imbalance, the pilot tried to reposition the passenger centrally. While the pilot initially managed to stabilize the wing, the uneven distribution of lift caused the paraglider to begin rotating clockwise. At an altitude of approximately 100 meters, the rotation became unrecoverable, leading to a high-speed spiral dive. The aircraft struck steep, rugged terrain, resulting in two fatalities.
The investigation
The Austrian SUB investigation reconstructed the flight sequence using eyewitness accounts, photographic evidence, and official records from the Carinthian State Police Command. The investigation examined the pilot's credentials, the maintenance status of the Independence Speed, and the operational procedures of the commercial operator.
Investigators found that the pilot's tandem flight authorization had expired on April 15, 2009, meaning he was not legally authorized to conduct the commercial flight. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the pilot's name was not included in the company's approved personnel plan, and the specific paraglider used was not listed in the company's approved operations manual. Additionally, no valid third-party liability insurance was in place for the aircraft at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of control in flight (LOC-I) triggered by improper handling of the equipment.
- The pilot's flight preparation was inadequate; specifically, the left T-bar had been installed rotated by 180 degrees, which forced the pilot into an asymmetrical position relative to the passenger.
- During the mandatory five-point pre-flight check, the pilot failed to verify the correct attachment of the carabiner on the left T-bar.
- The pilot was operating without a valid tandem flight rating.
- There were significant organizational failures, including the use of unauthorized personnel and equipment not listed in the company's approved manual.
- The aircraft's reserve parachute lacked a proper inspection tag or identification plate.