What happened
On September 7, 2013, at approximately 15:56 UTC, a motorized paraglider accident occurred near the village of Kníničky. The pilot was performing maneuvers at an altitude of approximately 130 to 150 meters AGL. During a turn, the aircraft entered a steep descending spiral with the engine still at power. The pilot was unable to recover from the spiral, and the aircraft struck the ground with high kinetic energy.
Witnesses at the scene observed the pilot performing various maneuvers and noted that there were no visible signs of engine failure or technical distress prior to the final turn. Following the impact, a physician present at the scene attempted resuscitation, but the pilot sustained fatal injuries due to polytrauma caused by the high-speed impact.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the aircraft, the pilot's experience, and the wreckage. The aircraft, a Nirvana Rodeo 125 with registration OK-NGB 23, was found to have significant damage. The impact destroyed the propeller, the propeller's protective frame, and the fuel tank neck, while the engine's skeleton was also damaged.
Investigators analyzed data from the pilot's variometer, which recorded a descent rate of approximately -10 m/s. The investigation also reviewed the pilot's flight logs, noting he had approximately 24 hours and 45 minutes of flight time. A technical inspection of the paraglider wing revealed wear exceeding what would be expected for its age. Furthermore, investigators found that the landing gear had been attached to the lower attachment points of the wing rather than the designated upper attachment eyes, which altered the wing's handling characteristics.
Findings
- The pilot was qualified and medically fit for flight, with no evidence of impairment by alcohol or drugs.
- The aircraft was in a valid state of airworthiness, and no mechanical engine failure was identified as a cause.
- The improper attachment of the landing gear to the lower attachment points may have negatively influenced the wing's behavior and the pilot's ability to react to the emergency.
- The pilot failed to recover from the steep descending spiral in time, leading to the high-speed impact with the ground.