Return to the incident list: Incident List Water landing PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

Age: 37 Weight: 230 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level:

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: Edel Power Atlas XL Size: Paramotor Frame: Fresh Breeze Monster and Trike Buggy Bullet with

Incident Details

September 27, 2008 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

I fly twice a day most days and burn about 15 gallons of avgas a week so it is safe to say I fly a lot but tonight was not like any other flight. I took off down a slight hill with a large lake at the base of the hill. I have flown here many times. I set up the trike buggy and checked to make sure the riser lines where all in order. On my takeoff role I looked up and to the right to see the wing come up. After the wing was overhead I used my mirror to check that it was overhead and flying straight and clean. I did not check my left risers. I always take off and turn right away from the lake but this time the wing did not want to go up or turn to the right even under full power. The wing turned to the left over the lake and began to loose alt. I looked at the wing and all looked good and then glanced over at my left riser to see the one or more lines was wrapped around the main lines. I was in a hard left turn into the lake. I think the a lines were pulled down on the left side. I hit the water about thirty feet from shore in about 15 feet of water. I hit the water with full power still trying to get back to shore. I hit on my right side and flipped over. Once under water I took off my throttle and then reached for my seat belt on the trike buggy. I got the seat belt loose and pulled myself out between the two bars. I did not feel like I was being pulled down and when I looked up I saw sunlight and that’s where I wanted to be. My feet got into the lines for just a second but I was able to get free and swim about three feet up to the surface. The buggy floated up after another few seconds and remain upside down floating. I was able to swim with the buggy for a few moments until help came and got me and the buggy out of the water. The wing was very hard to get out of the water as it was tangled with debris on the bottom of the lake. Very close call on this one. Lesson one, always have extra runway in front of you. Lesson two, never take off near water even if you think you are not going to be near it. Lesson three, always check both risers and brake lines during takeoff to insure all is ok. Motor had lots of water in it but is now running fine, wing is drying. It was easy to get out of while sinking upside down in 15 feet of water, and it floats after you get out. Last note, If you do fly near water have good flotation with you.

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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