Return to the incident list: Incident List Severe injury on start PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

Age: 59 Weight: 190 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level:

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: N/A Size: Paramotor Frame: Air Conception Nitro 200 with

Incident Details

May 18, 2017 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

After numerous unsuccessful attempts to pull start his motor, the pilot decided to crack the throttle. On that pull the engine fired, pushing against his left hand that was holding the frame & throttle in a way caused the LH throttle to open fully. As the motor pushed, it then spun clockwise, his right arm went thru the netting, contacting the prop at the wrist & chewing it’s way up to the elbow. The pilot was thrown to his back on the ground, the motor still at full throttle, his left hand pinned underneath. Another pilot was able to pull off the spark plug cap to kill the engine. 911 called as a 3rd pilot used paper towels to slow the blood loss.
Damage was extensive with broken bones in the wrist & hand, requiring at least 4 surgeries to wire the bones together, stitch up tendons + a skin graft.
Pilot attributes it to pilot error with frustration a contributing factor. He was standing upright & recommends electric start, then only when on the back.

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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