What happened
On 9 November 2019, in Khorfakkan, Sharjah, two separate parasailing operations experienced simultaneous failures during commercial flights. Two boats, operated by Kasir Al Amwaj Scooter Rental and Al Marjan Marine Amusement, had departed their berths at approximately 1400 LT to begin towing canopies. Each flight carried three occupants, including a controller and two passengers.
Shortly after the flights commenced, a sudden increase in onshore wind strength occurred. This weather shift exceeded the operational limits of the equipment. In one instance, a towline snapped due to tension overstress. In the second instance, the towboat capsized due to high sea states, causing its towline to break. The wind subsequently drove the canopies toward a nearby farm. The incident resulted in one minor injury to a passenger.
The investigation
The GCAA AAIS conducted a safety study to evaluate the regulatory framework for parasailing in the UAE. Investigators examined the equipment, including Waterbird Super Chinook 36 and 38 canopies, and interviewed the personnel involved.
Technical examinations revealed that the towline had snapped mid-length, away from the connection points, and lacked any service or manufacturing records. Furthermore, the inspected boat showed signs of poor maintenance, with a heavily corroded towline stanchion. The investigation also found that the operators had no formal procedures for monitoring weather, sea conditions, or equipment serviceability. Crucially, the operators were unaware of a National Center of Meteorology warning for strong winds and rain, as they did not subscribe to official weather data or include weather checks in their business checklists.
Findings
- The primary cause of the equipment failure was wind speeds exceeding the manufacturer's specified limits for the canopies.
- There is currently no specific aviation regulatory model for parasailing within the UAE national aviation system.
- Operators lacked access to reliable, real-time weather information and had no documented safety or emergency procedures.
- Personnel involved in canopy control lacked formal aviation training or licensing.
- The existing regulatory framework for light sports aviation does not explicitly include parasailing, leaving a gap in oversight and enforcement.