Return to the incident list: Incident List Accidental Reserve Deployment PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

Age: 29 Weight: 190 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level:

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: Sky Paragliders Fides 2 Medium DHV1 Size: Paramotor Frame: FlatTop 200 65-70 lbs with

Incident Details

November 2, 2009 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

I launched into a very light westerly wind. During climb out I made 1 complete circle over my launch/landing area. After climb out to about 300 feet, I attempted to get into my seat. Getting into my seat was a new and/or difficult process due to the reserve being in the way of where I would grab my left side of the seat. I managed to just barley slide into the seat. After deciding about 250 feet AGL that I wasn’t completely in my seat and uncomfortable, I attempted to slide further into the seat. At that moment I felt and noticed that my wing, while still pressurized, took a fast dive toward the ground. I immediately started to reach for my reserve but couldn’t find it. A few seconds later, I decided I couldn’t locate and deploy the reserve and prepared to hit the water right near the shore line. I was wearing a cheap 3 buckle PFD at the time. I estimated that I went under water for about 3 seconds then floated right back up. A boat happened to come swing by to my rescue and the US Coast Guard which were stationed just a few hundred feet away also showed up a few mins. later. After reliving the situation and watching the video recorded by my wife, I noticed that the wing was perfectly stable and only made the dive after I accidentally pulled out the reserve while reaching for my seat hence the reason I couldn’t find it when I wanted it. This was a very scary event. I’ve read repeatedly that PG lines can easily get tangled around your legs during a water landing. This is true and very scary. It hinders your ability to swim. Also I’ve learned that water landings must be practiced thoroughly before flying near water. Avoiding getting tangled into the PG lines and getting out of the harness is a very difficult process when your nose and mouth is inches from the water line.

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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