What happened
On March 13, 2014, at approximately 17:00 local time, a paramotor (MPK) took off from a landing area located about 1 km southwest of Petrovice u Karviné for a local flight. The pilot, a 64-year-old male with 15 years of experience, initially climbed to an altitude of 30 to 50 meters and proceeded on a northern course.
During the flight, the aircraft flew over the landing area at an altitude of approximately 15 meters. Approximately five minutes after takeoff, the aircraft encountered high-voltage power lines. Witnesses observed the paramotor, a Nirvana Instinct NS 200 with registration OK-TGB04, performing a right-hand turn toward the lines. Following contact with the wires, the wing collapsed, and the aircraft entered a rapid right-hand rotation. The motor remained at full throttle during the descent. The aircraft struck the ground at a steep angle, resulting in the fatal injuries of the pilot.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined the aircraft, the site of the accident, and the pilot's background. The investigation included a technical inspection of the engine, which revealed that the throttle was stuck at maximum power; however, investigators determined this was not caused by a mechanical failure of the carburetor or control cables, but rather by forces exerted during the crash. The paraglider wing (Dudek Nucleon 27) showed significant damage, including tears on the left side and broken lines, consistent with contact with the high-voltage conductors.
Medical examinations of the pilot confirmed that there were no underlying medical conditions or presence of alcohol or prohibited substances that contributed to the accident. The investigation also reviewed the aircraft's maintenance status, noting it had undergone a technical inspection and parachute check shortly before the accident, though a formal technical certificate had not yet been requested from the LAA ČR.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the collision of the paramotor wing with high-voltage power lines, which led to the collapse of the wing and a subsequent uncontrolled descent.
- The specific reason why the aircraft struck the power lines could not be determined.
- The engine was operating at maximum power during the impact.
- The aircraft's technical condition and the local weather conditions were not contributing factors to the accident.