Return to the incident list: Incident List Body Contact with Spinning Prop PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

Age: 0 Weight: 320 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level:

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: N/A Size: Paramotor Frame: Fly Products Power Gold 130 with

Incident Details

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

Motor had not been started for several weeks, I took the motor outside, but did not put the prop guard in place. I started the motor and was running it at about 1/3 throttle and below. After it had warmed up I was running it at about 3/4 throttle. I had my foot on the lower cage and was holding the top of the frame with my left hand. Someone whistled and yelled at me, as I turned I lost my grip on the top frame. The motor unit twisted due to the torque and the prop struck me. I am not sure where it hit first, but I ended up with several large pieces of prop protruding from my tricep area, quite a few larger pieces protruding from my back and shoulder, also a puncture wound on my abdomen, it removed my pants and underwear (shredded) and shaved off several layers of skin in 2 places on my thigh. My cellphone was found about 500 feet from the site. I have had 2 surgeries now in an attempt to get all of the pieces out of me. I will have to live with what is left in me, they can’t get all the pieces out, they are imbedded in the muscle. Stupid? Yes! Lesson Learned? Yes!!, always completely assemble motor unit and make sure all guards are in place before starting. Respect your Prop!! Had it been 4 inches more to the left, it would have taken off my face or killed me.

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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