What happened
On April 19, 2003, at approximately 16:00 UTC, a paraglider accident occurred at the "Na Horce" slope in Bukovina, near Čisté, in the Semily district. The pilot was conducting a series of flights using a Pixie 27 paraglider. While another pilot on site had ceased flying due to deteriorating weather, the subject pilot continued with a fourth flight.
During this flight, the pilot encountered significant low-level mechanical turbulence. The pilot was unable to maintain control of the aircraft, which turned toward the slope. With the wind at its back, the paraglider struck a tree located at the foot of the hill. The pilot was found suspended in the harness approximately 4 meters above the ground, with the canopy and lines entangled in the branches.
Medical examinations determined that the pilot sustained multiple life-threatening injuries, resulting in one fatality. The cause of death was identified as internal hemorrhaging due to polytrauma following the impact with the fixed obstacle. Toxicology reports confirmed no presence of alcohol or prohibited substances in the pilot's system.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the meteorological conditions, the technical state of the aircraft, and the pilot's credentials. The investigation established that the pilot held a valid category "A" license and a Class 2 medical certificate. The Pixie 27 was found to be in good technical condition, with all maintenance documentation up to date, and its condition did not contribute to the accident.
Meteorological data indicated that warm air was flowing from the southwest due to a pressure gradient between a low-pressure system over the Bay of Biscay and high pressure over Scandinavia. At the time of the accident, winds were recorded between 8 and 14 knots, accompanied by weak mechanical turbulence.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the pilot's inability to safely control the paraglider during periods of strong, gusty wind and low-level turbulence.
- The pilot's lack of flight experience led to an inadequate assessment of the suitability of the meteorological conditions.
- Contributing factors included the presence of unsuitable weather conditions for paragliding flight.