Return to the incident list: Incident List Fall during kiting resulting in dislocated pinky. PPG Type: Foot Launch – Single Occupant Type of Injury: Minor Injury

Pilot Details

Age: 41 Weight: 231 Gender: Male Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Intermediate – PPG 2 Pilot experience level: 50+ hours

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Dudek Model: Solo Size: Paramotor Frame: NA NA with NA

Incident Details

May 29, 2023 6:00 PM Location of the incident: Manhattan, Kansas Type of Incident: Fall or Trip (While on the ground), Pilot Error

I was forward kiting when I should have been reverse kiting due to the wind gusting to approx 14mph.

A wind gust overpowered me today when I was kiting my wing. I was drug backwards by a wind gust.  I tried turning around to reverse and unload the wing but was now at the edge of the soccer field and my foot got caught on a piece of concrete gutter that was up above the grass. I was half way turned around when I fell and got drug about 5ft on the ground.  I was able to bury the right brake to bring the wing down in a sideways position.  I suffered minor scrapes, bruises and fully dislocated my pinky at the 2nd joint.

I was wearing safety gear and using a kiting harness.

Flight Window: Evening Wind Speed: Moderate Wind (5-9 mph) Type: Light and Variable Phase of Flight: Other/Unknown Type of Injury: Minor Injury Collateral Damage: None Analysis of the incident (additional input by the incident investigation team): Photos (if available): https://usppa.org/frm_file/aWQ6MTA2NDZ8ZmlsZW5hbWU6SU1HXzE0OTUuanBlZ3xzaXplOnRodW1ibmFpbA==, https://usppa.org/frm_file/aWQ6MTA2NDd8ZmlsZW5hbWU6SU1HXzE0OTYuanBlZ3xzaXplOnRodW1ibmFpbA==, https://usppa.org/frm_file/aWQ6MTA2NDh8ZmlsZW5hbWU6SU1HXzE0OTcuanBlZ3xzaXplOnRodW1ibmFpbA==

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