Return to the incident list: Incident List Wing Malfunction or Deflation PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

Age: 30 Weight: 185 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level:

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: Eden II Size: Paramotor Frame: Unknown with

Incident Details

January 1, 2006 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

A local PPG pilot and PPC pilot were flying out of an open field flying site used often by both. The weather was clear and temperature was around 65 degrees F. A light wind was blowing from the N NW at about 3-4 mph. The event took place at about 3:00 pm and the conditions were smooth.

The PPC made a low approach to the flying field from the east heading west while taking video footage. After flying over the field, the PPC turned north, began to climb, and turned once more heading east.

The PPG pilot was about 30+ seconds behind the PPC and made a pass at the field heading west at about 20-30 feet. By this time the PPC was well east of the field. When the PPG passed the end of the field and was about to turn north, he experienced a complete deflation of the left side of his wing. The wing immediately banked left and descended in a left turn to impact in the field.

The pilot sustained a dislocated right shoulder, but walked away form the crash. His motor was damaged, but repairable. The PPC pilot just happened to be filming the PPG when the accident happened and caught it briefly on film, although it is pretty far away. The video is attached.

Our local group has concluded that the most likely cause of the accident was the wake of the PPC drifting south and down into the path of the PPC. This was a large 2-place PPC weighing about 600 lbs, so the wake would likely be much larger than a typical PPG wake.

Flight Window: Wind Speed: Type: Phase of Flight: Type of Injury: Collateral Damage: Analysis of the incident (additional input by the incident investigation team): Photos (if available):

Video (if available):
Other Files (if available):

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