Fatal Paraglider Collision in Cape Town Atlantic Ocean

Casualties unknown • Atlantic Ocean, approximately 114m from the shoreline, ZA

A training flight ended in tragedy when a paraglider performing maneuvers collided with another aircraft, resulting in one fatality in the Atlantic Ocean.

What happened

On the afternoon of 3 July 2023, a flight instructor and a student pilot launched from Signal Hill in Cape Town, South Africa, intending to land at the Sea Point Promenade. The flight was being conducted as a training session under visual flight rules. While flying over the Atlantic Ocean, the instructor of the Duet Pro paraglider performed a series of descending maneuvers. During these maneuvers, the aircraft collided with a second paraglider carrying two occupants.

The impact caused the wing of the Duet Pro to deflate and its suspension lines to fail. Although the instructor managed to deploy an orange reserve parachute, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed into the ocean approximately 11 and 114 meters from the shoreline. While the instructor sustained minor injuries and was able to detach from his harness, the student pilot remained trapped in the seat harness under the submerged canopy. Despite rescue efforts by the National Sea Rescue Institute, the student pilot was fatally injured at the scene.

The investigation

The SACAA AIID investigation established that the accident occurred while the aircraft was performing wing-over maneuvers. The investigation examined the flight history, the condition of the equipment, and the environmental factors at the time of the crash. It was noted that the weather conditions were clear and fine, and the Duet Pro aircraft had been well-maintained with only 10 hours of total flight time. The investigation also reviewed the actions of the flight instructor and the impact of the collision on the second paraglider, which remained airborne and landed safely.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the accident was a maneuver conducted by the flight instructor that resulted in a collision with another paraglider.
  • The instructor failed to perform a comprehensive airspace scan before executing the wing-over maneuvers.
  • The flight instructor demonstrated poor airmanship and operated the paraglider outside of its intended performance limitations.
  • The procedures outlined in the SAHPA manual regarding the responsibilities of instructors were not followed.
  • Strong currents and the student pilot's entrapment in the harness contributed to the fatal outcome.

Probable cause

The collision was caused by the flight instructor performing aerial maneuvers that placed the aircraft on a collision course with another paraglider, leading to a loss of control and subsequent crash.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2023-07-03 Duet Pro Paraaglider accident near Atlantic Ocean, approximately 114m from the shoreline, ZA?

A training flight ended in tragedy when a paraglider performing maneuvers collided with another aircraft, resulting in one fatality in the Atlantic Ocean.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2023-07-03 involved a Duet Pro Paraaglider, registration Paraglider, at Atlantic Ocean, approximately 114m from the shoreline, ZA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision was caused by the flight instructor performing aerial maneuvers that placed the aircraft on a collision course with another paraglider, leading to a loss of control and subsequent crash.

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