Return to the incident list: Incident List Crashed in field after contact with tree PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

Age: 47 Weight: 220 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level:

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: Ozone Spyder 24 Size: Paramotor Frame: Air Conception 200 with

Incident Details

November 20, 2017 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

I was at the end if a 2+ hour flight I was about 1.5 miles from my LZ. I was flying low over a field of brush at 10-15 feet altitude. I was flying close to the tree lined edge of the field. I snagged my lines on a tree that was sticking out further than the others. This slowed me and turned me toward the trees. I pulled the opposite brake to turn away from the trees toward the center of the field. This worked and my lines came free from the tree. I should have put my legs down and landed out in the field of brambles. I made the bad decision to try to save a bad situation and stayed fully seated and applied full throttle. The glider surged and I was losing altitude I thought it would recover and I would gain altitude before hitting the ground. It was close but I was wrong. I hit the ground at full throttle fully seated. when my knees hit the ground I stopped instantly then my paramotor hit me in the back (still full throttle) this broke my L3 vertebrae. I suffered no other injuries not cuts no bruises. I stopped the engine unbuckled got clear and then called 911 after I found I was unable to stand. I had to have surgery to repair my back and am grounded for 6 months. My paramotor had a broken prop some cuts in the netting and some slight bends to the lower frame. My wing had a tear but I think that was caused by amature retrieval from bramble bushes.

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):
Other Files (if available):

Return to the incident list: Incident List