What happened
On the afternoon of November 25, 2025, a pilot launched a Moustache 13 paraglider from Lion’s Head Mountain in Cape Town, intending to land at Clifton Beach. The flight was being conducted under visual flight rules as part of a private operation. CCTV footage captured the pilot flying in a loose formation with two other paragliders; however, the recording later showed the aircraft entering a clockwise barrel roll before disappearing behind the mountain's rocks.
Witnesses on a nearby hiking trail reported hearing the sound of the paraglider scraping against the mountain surface. They observed the turquoise and white wing tumbling through the air at a 45-degree angle before it impacted the ground. Although first responders arrived at the scene approximately one hour and 15 minutes later, the pilot unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation
The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) AIID investigation examined the flight sequence, the condition of the equipment, and the environmental factors. Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and interviewed hikers who were present at the time of the impact. The investigation also looked into the pilot's credentials, noting he held a valid National Pilot’s Licence and a Class 4 medical certificate.
Physical examination of the equipment revealed that while the paraglider structure and control lines remained undamaged, the pilot's harness sustained tearing on the lower right side. Additionally, an action camera attached to the pilot's helmet was missing from the site and had not been recovered.
Findings
- The pilot was a qualified member of the South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA).
- The weather conditions at the time of the flight were reported as fair.
- The accident was characterized by a clockwise barrel roll that preceded the impact with the terrain.
- The impact was not survivable due to the high-velocity contact with the mountain rocks and the limited protection provided by the harness padding.