What happened
On April 23, 2021, at approximately 12:32, a powered paraglider, an APCO Aviation Ltd. THRUST HP S (serial number 177821BA), crashed onto a beach near the Dulan Viewing Platform in Donghe Township, Taitung County. The aircraft, which was operated by a single pilot, took off from a grassy area adjacent to the viewing platform, which is not a designated legal takeoff site for ultralight vehicles.
During the flight, the pilot attempted to maneuver the aircraft to avoid being blown out to sea. This maneuver resulted in a loss of control, causing the aircraft to impact the ground. The pilot sustained serious injuries, including intracranial hemorrhage and multiple fractures, and required 15 days of hospitalization. The aircraft sustained minor, repairable damage, and the engine was found to be in working order following the incident.
The investigation
The Taiwan Transportation Safety Board (TTSB) examined the aircraft, the engine, and the environmental conditions at the time of the accident. Investigators confirmed that the engine, a CORS-AIR BLACK BEE (serial number 285 BF), was functioning normally during post-accident testing. While the pilot claimed the engine was not running during the incident, witnesses reported hearing the engine and observing a takeoff attempt. Physical evidence, specifically damage to the propeller tips, supported the conclusion that the engine was operational at the time of impact.
Regarding the aircraft's airworthiness, the investigation established that the paraglider was a self-assembled unit. It had not undergone inspection by the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) and lacked a valid certificate of inspection. Furthermore, the pilot did not hold a valid ultralight vehicle operator certificate and had not participated in required safety training in recent years.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of control during low-altitude flight due to the influence of unstable air currents.
- The pilot attempted to use the lines to change direction to avoid drifting toward the ocean, which led to the crash.
- The aircraft was an uncertified, self-assembled unit that had not been inspected by the CAA.
- The pilot was operating the aircraft without a valid ultralight vehicle operator certificate.
- The takeoff occurred at an unauthorized location and within an unapproved airspace.