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

Pilot Details

Age: 52 Weight: 190 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level:

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: power atlas Size: Paramotor Frame: fresh breeze with

Incident Details

January 24, 2010 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

Pilot set up for a reverse launch and made three attempts to set the wing but there was not enough wind. The pilot reset for a foward launch. Pilot stepped back built a column of air and started run foward. Pilot took maybe three to five steps and fell foward into a face plant. The motor struck the pilot in the back of his neck. The combination of the motor weight and the ground impact caused a hangmans fracture at the C2 vertebrae. Pilot was paralized from the neck down and after 7 months is just regaining some movement. Cause of the accident is unknown. Suspect either coming on the gas too quickly or tripping on something in the field. Either way in a foward launch your hands and arms are not in a position to help in a fall.

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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