Return to the incident list: Incident List Crash shortly after takeoff, First Flight Ever, fr PPG Type: Type of Injury:

Pilot Details

Age: 57 Weight: 185 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level:

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Model: Unknown Size: Paramotor Frame: None with

Incident Details

July 19, 2021 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident:

2nd of training. Instructor said I was ready for a tow launch. Instructor had his teenage nephew helping me get set up but he had no experience. I had a walkie clipped to my hardness set to receive. Had no instructions up to this point other than ground handling. I was under the impression It would be a cakewalk with little for me to do. Was told it would be a low altitude ride. On launch I rose very high immediately and instructor yelled to brake, apparently I braked too hard. All I remember is violent rocking, yelled instructions, then the words “you’re going down”. At which point I looked down in time to think about a parachute landing roll. Next thing I heard in complete blackness was an animal howling sound, then after a while out of the blackness were giant blades of grass. Then talking and my name. Then a voice said “I hope you have good insurance” Then I felt myself being lifted and put on the bed of a pickup truck but the pain was too great so I was put back on the ground. I ended up being driven in a car by another student to the hospital. I don’t know when they took off my harness and helmet. The driver was also a DR and I heard him talking to the hospital on the way there and he told them I was found on the hill “eyes open and unresponsive fir about a minute” Was in the hospital for a week. Fractured 5 vertebrae had head trauma. Had to have cognitive therapy for over a year as well as physical therapy.

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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