What happened
On October 13, 2008, at approximately 15:10 UTC, a paramotor pilot was conducting a formation flight alongside another aircraft of the same type. The flight was being performed at a low altitude along the coastline near Praia da Torreira, Murtosa, for leisure purposes.
As the pilot was performing the landing maneuver on the beach, the 57ABY experienced a sudden acceleration. This unexpected movement caused the full weight of the impact to be absorbed by the pilot's legs, resulting in a fracture of the right fibula and various abrasions. Following the incident, the pilot received medical assistance from the Murtosa Volunteer Firefighters and was transported to the Hospital Visconde de Salreu, eventually being transferred to the Hospital Distrital de Aveiro.
The investigation
The GPIAAF examined the circumstances of the landing and the nature of the equipment involved. The investigation noted that the aircraft, a paramotor designed for foot-launched takeoff and landing, was registered in France.
The investigators addressed the regulatory complexities regarding the classification of such equipment. While the injury sustained by the pilot met the criteria for an accident due to the severity of the fracture, the investigators highlighted a significant ambiguity in how paramotors are categorized under existing regulations. They noted that because the equipment lacks a rigid structure or a traditional cockpit, it presents challenges in determining whether such occurrences should be classified as aircraft accidents or incidents.
Findings
- The primary cause of the injury was a sudden acceleration during the landing phase.
- The pilot was operating under a valid ULM pilot license with a paramotor qualification.
- The investigation concluded that the equipment used is a non-conventional means of transport with limited controllability and high dependence on atmospheric conditions, functioning more as extreme sports equipment than a traditional aircraft.