Return to the incident list: Incident List Brake toggle go through the net and hit the prop PPG Type: Foot Launch – Single Occupant Type of Injury: No Injury

Pilot Details

Age: 31 Weight: 150 Gender: Male Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Intermediate – PPG 2 Pilot experience level: 10-50 hours

Gear Details

Wing Brand: Velocity Model: Core 2 Size: 22 Paramotor Frame: BLACKBEE 125cc Kestrel V3 with CORS-AIR 125cc

Incident Details

June 16, 2024 10:00 AM Location of the incident: San Martin, California Type of Incident: Prop Strike, Pilot Error

I free my toggle for seconds to reach my phone, did not put the toggle into the snap. the toggle went through the net and hit the propeller when I was at the perfect deadly height, luckily the toggle did not wrap on the prop, but went through the net again from the back side of the net and get stuck.

I was very lucky, if the brake toggle cought by the propeller, I would end up with uncontrollable crazy spiral and hit the ground in 3 seconds. I wouldn’t have time to throw reserve.

I also found that the rigid part of the brake toggle can freely move inside, It always tends to be a stright line, instead of a triagle.

I wasn’t told the brake toggle has to be snapped, I thought gears are well designed and it is very unlikly to happen.

Never free the toggle.

Net is very important, check it often.

Make the rigid part of the toggle not moving, maintain triagle shape.

Try not to free hands if it is not high enough.

Flight Window: Midday Wind Speed: Strong Wind (10-15 mph) Type: Gusty / Thermal Activity / Dust Devil Phase of Flight: Cruise/In Flight Type of Injury: No Injury Collateral Damage: None Analysis of the incident (additional input by the incident investigation team): Photos (if available): https://usppa.org/frm_file/aWQ6MTI4OTB8ZmlsZW5hbWU6V2VjaGF0SU1HMS5qcGd8c2l6ZTp0aHVtYm5haWw=, https://usppa.org/frm_file/aWQ6MTI4OTF8ZmlsZW5hbWU6V2VjaGF0SU1HMi5qcGd8c2l6ZTp0aHVtYm5haWw=, https://usppa.org/frm_file/aWQ6MTI4OTJ8ZmlsZW5hbWU6V2VjaGF0SU1HNC5qcGd8c2l6ZTp0aHVtYm5haWw=

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