Return to the incident list: Incident List Prop Strike on Engine Start PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

Age: 31 Weight: 195 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level:

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: MacPara Charger 25m Size: Paramotor Frame: Vitorazzi Moster Plus 185cc with

Incident Details

January 5, 2018 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

Pilot recently completed 10th solo flight under instructor supervision. After adding more fuel pilot struggled to start motor on back so disconnected and placed on ground to start. Pilot continued to struggle with starting so applied a small amount of throttle. After >20 pulls motor still did not start. Pilot added slightly more throttle and continued repeating attempts.

Motor suddenly started with more throttle than intended resulting in frame pushing toward pilot. Pilot continued to hold frame with right hand while reaching forward with left to grab cage ring and stabilize but missed ring and instead pushed into netting causing it to flex into range of propeller rotation. Left hand made contact with prop causing middle 3 fingers to suffer tissue damage. Pilot then retracted hand and rotated body to shield from propeller losing grip with right hand. Motor frame came to rest on shoulder with propeller making final contact to right shoulder causing two large lacerations. After motor initially started pilot immediately released throttle and motor was clutched so the injuries were all sustained as propeller was spinning down from initial start without continued motor torque applied.

Instructor immediately came to student pilot’s aid applying bandages to stop bleeding and called emergency services. Treatment required 3 surgeries to perform skin folds and grafting to replace tissue lost from left hand middle finger. Full recovery is expected with some permanent loss of tactile feedback on fingers possible.

Damage to frame consisted of broken e-prop carbon propeller and torn cage net as well as cut strobe light harness.

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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