Return to the incident list: Incident List Close call, engine out over the ocean PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

Age: 51 Weight: 180 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level:

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: Airwave Sport medium DHV1-2 Size: Paramotor Frame: Fresh Breeze Solo 58 lbs with

Incident Details

April 2, 2007 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

While cruising down the beach front at 40 foot altitude, I approached a 200 foot long fishing pier. To avoid flying over the pier, I turned seaward and began a gentle climb parallel to it. I rounded the end of the pier and began to glide back toward the beach at about 75 feet up when my engine sputtered to a stop. I heard the distinctive sound of open exhaust as it died. I’ve made this glide dozens of times with engine idling, so I felt no panic. The onshore breeze combined with the good glide ratio of my wing provided adequate time to reach the beach then make a flat turn back into the wind. I selected a hard dry area near the pier where sun bathers avoid and flared to an easy one step landing. Upon inspection, the spark plug had blown completely out of the head, threads and all. I called my flying buddy back at LZ and walked to the main road. This was my first opportunity in six years to use the wing bag I keep in my harness. Had I not made it a habit to always maintain proper altitude over the ocean, this mishap could have been fatal. It’s over 30 feet deep at the end of the pier.

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):

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