What happened
On July 16, 2003, at approximately 11:20 UTC, a tandem paragliding flight was conducted near the Medvědín ski slope in Špindlerův Mlýn. The flight, operated by Yellow Point, s.r.o., involved a pilot-instructor and a Dutch passenger. The flight departed from a southwest takeoff area at an altitude of approximately 1,250 m ALT. After roughly 10 minutes of flight, the crew attempted to land on a ski slope near the Hormony hotel at an altitude of approximately 850 m ALT.
During the landing rollout, the passenger slipped on the uneven surface of the landing area. The passenger fell onto their back and struck a stone, resulting in serious injuries. Emergency services, including the Mountain Service and Air Rescue, provided immediate medical care and transported the passenger via helicopter to a specialized hospital in Liberec.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the landing site conditions and the flight maneuvers. The investigation established that the landing area, a ski slope with a gradient of 20-30 degrees, was characterized by an uneven surface containing scattered stones. While the pilot was properly qualified for the flight and the weather conditions were suitable, the investigation focused on the suitability of the terrain for tandem operations involving inexperienced passengers.
Findings
- The landing site was insufficiently suitable for tandem flights with beginners due to the uneven terrain and the presence of rocks.
- The primary cause of the accident was likely a pilot error during the landing phase.
- A contributing factor was the selection of an inappropriate landing area for the specific nature of the flight.