Return to the incident list: Incident List Unintended spiral resulting in impact with water PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

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

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: Aerolight Karamba 28m Size: Paramotor Frame: with

Incident Details

September 25, 2012 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

Advanced student wanted to do a steep turn and on a casual day of flying asked his instructor to give him tips on the radio. The student entered the turn aggressively and went into a spiral. The instructor immediately gave recovery instructions but it was too late and the student spiraled into the water, impacting nearly face down well out into the ocean surf. His agama inflated immediately but his head was slumped forward and under water. Thankfully, a surfer got to him very quickly and was able to keep his head out of the water. Steep spirals are among the top three most deadly maneuvers in a paraglider because of the likelihood of blacking out or, even if the pilot remains conscious, the possibility of confusion on recovery. The pilot spent several days in the hospital due to water ingestion but made a complete recovery, possibly aided by being in extremely good physical shape. Wing aerolight karamba 28m which is similar to the apco karma

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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