Return to the incident list: Incident List Pilot crashed in to power pole right after launch PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

Age: 48 Weight: 240 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level:

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: Edel Power Atlas large DHV 1-2 Size: Paramotor Frame: Fresh Breeze Monster mounted on Low Boy quad with

Incident Details

June 8, 2016 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

Launched without problems, but was not gaining altitude. Wind was a bit bumpy, with a slight tail wind. I was veering to the right (I’m assuming motor torque), and wasn’t gaining altitude at a normal rate. I flew over Hwy 101 at about 50 feet (Not good) and was just holding full throttle and praying for some elevation. I was looking for a place to land out, but had a freeway on one side and power lines on the other. I think I probably object fixated on a power pole, hoping to fly over it. I didn’t make it. I crashed head first into the pole at full throttle, with my wing draping over the power lines. I was stuck hanging there for an hour and a half while they got the power shut off. It is actually amazing I survived. My foot was obviously broken, it was pointed 180 degrees the wrong way, and I was bleeding pretty severely from a head wound. It took 58 stitches to close up my forehead, and I will carry that scar for life. I had a severe compound tib/fib fracture of the left leg, and also fractured the great toe. Lost the toe nail. They are predicting I can start weight bearing on my left leg in 3 more weeks (10 weeks total) I also had a small wound on my right leg (Only 5 stitches) and a few cracked ribs. All in all, it’s amazing I even survived. Whole bunch of lessons learned, most importantly I’m going to get some good training once I’m recovered. I made the mistake of going to XXXXX. After 5 days, I had to return to California, and it quickly became clear to me that I was not well trained. I learned more from you tube videos than I learned out there. Instead of finding a better instructor, I went out with the limited knowledge that I had. I got away with about a dozen flights before my accident, but I’m paying a heavy price now. I shouldn’t have even attempted a launch with the wind conditions, but I was determined to get in at least one flight on my vacation, and only had two days left. Now I don’t even know when I will be able to return to my job. The motor needs some cage parts, but will be useable. The quad and glider are ruined beyond repair. Very expensive and painful way to learn these lessons!

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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