Return to the incident list: Incident List Downdraft caused pilot to hit ground PPG Type: Foot Launch – Single Occupant Type of Injury: Major Injury

Pilot Details

Age: 33 Weight: 180 Gender: Male Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Advanced – PPG 3 Pilot experience level: 50+ hours

Gear Details

Wing Brand: U-turn Model: Progress Size: 26 Paramotor Frame: Air conception Race V2 with Air conception Nitro 200

Incident Details

June 9, 2024 7:11 PM Location of the incident: Palatka, Florida Type of Incident: Collision with terrain or ground obstacle

Pilot was flying over empty public baseball field and parking lot surrounded by trees, pilots body was level with tree tops. Pilot started a slow left turn and suddenly dropped 60 feet while wing was still inflated. Pilot killed moter before hitting concrete but became airborn again after sliding across concrete approximately 30 feet. Pilot continued another 20 feet before wing was caught on a insulated power line. Due to pilots left leg being caught under frame the pilot recieved road rash and the frame deeply gouged his foot. The pilot suffered a fractured bone in his foot and tendon and nerve damage. Pilot is expected yo make a full recovery.

After going over the incident with other pilots it is believed a down draft caused the sudden loss of altitude and the fact the pilot had just began a turn made him lose altitude even faster. Unfortunately there was no safe landing area or time to react. Pilot believe better decision making could have prevented the accident, don’t fly low when there is not safe landing area and even in light wind dont fly low next to trees. Wind was steady at 7mph.

Flight Window: Evening Wind Speed: Moderate Wind (5-9 mph) Type: Steady / Laminar Phase of Flight: Cruise/In Flight Type of Injury: Major Injury Collateral Damage: None Analysis of the incident (additional input by the incident investigation team): Photos (if available):

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