What happened
On 18 October 2009, a pilot launched a paraglider from Dunnottable Airfield with the intention of flying to Delmas Airfield. The flight began via a winch launch at approximately 1230Z. Shortly after takeoff, the winch operator noticed the aircraft had gained excessive altitude and radioed a warning to the pilot. In response, the pilot performed a standard "Big Ear" maneuver to descend. The aircraft was last seen by the operator at an altitude of roughly 300 meters above ground level.
After failing to arrive at the intended destination, the aircraft was reported missing at 1700Z. A search and rescue operation was launched by South African Search and Rescue (SASAR), and the wreckage was located the following morning on a farm near Springs. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
Investigators examined the APCO Aviation Vista paraglider and associated equipment. The investigation established that the aircraft was in a serviceable condition prior to the flight. Analysis of the wreckage and flight data from the pilot's variometer revealed that the aircraft entered a high-speed anti-clockwise spiral, reaching a descent rate of approximately 12.6 m/s.
Evidence indicated that the pilot attempted to deploy the reserve parachute at an altitude of no more than 150 meters above ground level. However, the reserve parachute became entangled in the glider's lines, preventing a successful deployment. Physical evidence at the site also showed that the pilot remained conscious for a period following the impact, as he had managed to unclip his harness straps and remove his helmet before succumbing to his injuries.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was likely an encounter with turbulence caused by thermal activity near the ground.
- The aircraft experienced a severe deviation from normal flight, resulting in a line-over on the right side and entanglement on the left.
- A contributing factor was the pilot's inability to timely cut away the main wing and successfully deploy the reserve parachute.
- The impact was characterized by high-speed ground impressions consistent with the recorded descent rate.