Return to the incident list: Incident List blown launch PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

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

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: Eden II 28 Size: Paramotor Frame: homebuilt – 75# with

Incident Details

August 14, 2007 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

Even with 6 years and 300+ hours PPG time, mistakes can be made.

The field was a small town park with a soccer field. This field is only flyable with a southwest wind as that’s the only way out past obstructions (houses and trees). For experienced pilots only, nevertheless it’s a very nice spot, and the one clear climbout path is over swamp and beach, so it’s safe. The winds were suitable and I set up to launch where my run would take me between the soccer goals. I had just solved some carburetor problems resulting in the engine bogging when throttle was applied, or so I thought, but after a good forward inflation the engine again bogged and I had to abort.

I was ready to go home and again work on the engine when I realized (stupid me!) that I had left the choke on. I again set up, but the wind had shifted more to the west, so I had to set up directly facing the north soccer goal. I figured I could easily steer around it, I’ve done so many times before in other tight launches, though usually in more wind.

Another good inflation, the engine ran up fine, and I started my run, steering to the left. Everything seemed fine, but I guess I braked a little too much, for just as I thought I was getting light I realized I wasn’t straight enough… and the resulting abort and subsequent fall cost me a prop and a cage (first time ever).

Lesson learned: Don’t count on steering around obstructions in light wind. With more wind (i.e. reverse conditions) I could have kited the wing, stabilized it, then turned as soon as I started moving, rather than while rapidly closing with an obstacle.

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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