What happened
On June 28, 2011, at approximately 05:30 UTC, a fatal accident involving a Rodeo 125EP powered paraglider occurred near the village of Velešín. The pilot had taken off from an area near Mojné and had been flying for approximately 80 minutes.
While flying at an altitude of roughly 100 meters AGL, the pilot entered a steep left descending spiral while the engine was at idle. During the maneuver, the pilot was unable to react adequately to recover the aircraft. Although the pilot attempted to increase engine power immediately before impact in an effort to exit the spiral, the aircraft completed approximately four rotations before striking the ground in a field. The pilot sustained fatal injuries.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation included a technical examination of the OK-PGD 03 aircraft and a review of video footage recorded by a helmet camera. The technical inspection of the Yoki M paraglider canopy revealed it was in very good condition, with no signs of wear or malfunction. The engine and propeller were found to be functional, though they sustained damage during the impact.
Analysis of the video footage showed that the pilot had been flying in a straight line or performing gentle turns at very low altitudes, often below 200 meters AGL. The investigation also noted that the pilot's harness cross-strap was set for straight flight rather than for spiral maneuvers, which likely complicated the recovery process. Medical examinations confirmed the pilot was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The pilot initiated a steep descending spiral at an altitude of approximately 100 meters AGL, which was below the minimum safe altitude of 150 meters AGL required for such maneuvers.
- The late initiation of the spiral recovery prevented the pilot from exiting the maneuver before ground impact.
- The pilot was likely accustomed to performing maneuvers at very low altitudes.
- The harness configuration, specifically the cross-strap position, hindered the ability to stabilize the aircraft during the spiral.