Return to the incident list: Incident List Trike Collides With Balloon PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

Age: 65 Weight: Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level:

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: MacPara Eden Size: Paramotor Frame: Fly Flash Trike & Power Gold with

Incident Details

October 27, 2010 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

Trike pilot was up with another paramotor pilot and 8 to 10 balloons. They were cruising about 1000′ AGL and keeping 500 to 1000 foot distance from a group of balloons floating near the airport. A late-launching balloon lifted from the airport, unnoticed by the trike pilot, which began climbing. The trike pilot was flying level when the climbing balloon came into view from below. He tried to steer away but it was too late and he flew into the balloon envelope, ripping through and out the other side. Paraglider fabric caught in balloon material leaving the trike dangling as air escaped out the newly created hole. They crashed onto a fence. The trike pilot received the worst injuries but two balloon passengers also went to the hospital. There is an animation and write up on http://footflyer.com/Safety/Midair/paramotor_midair_collision_risk.htm

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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