Return to the incident list: Incident List Riser Twist Just after Launch PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

Age: 50 Weight: 180 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level:

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: Unknown Size: Paramotor Frame: Fresh Breeze Siminoni 122 with Soft J’s with

Incident Details

October 26, 2009 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

Pilot launched from the beach into a steady wind from offshore. As pilot was launching, another instructor and myself observed the pilot under a lot of torque with the motor unit at a 45° angle to the wing. We both commented he was under significant torque and risked riser twist. As the pilot continued to climb at about 25′, it appeared the motor unit was now beyond 20° from perpendicular and was still 45° to the direction of flight of the wing. Just as the pilot attempted to get into his seat at 45 to 50 feet, the pilot took a 720° riser twist. Pilot went off power and took a hard landing and fall to the beach. The only damage the pilot had was a bruised ego and a broken wood prop. There were no other scratches to the power plant. Upon inspection of the pilot’s wing, harness, and other equipment following the incident, there were no obvious signs of what may have initiated the riser twist. The pilot had been flying the same wing and motor for several years.

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):

Video (if available):
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