Incident Details

Pilot was flying the Muse wing for the first time with SD RDM frame (65 lbs). The attachment points on the SD are high which allowed more brake authority than typical. Pilot normally flew a glider with significantly higher brake pressure than the Muse. Pilot was flying SW downwind close to ground attempting to kick a ball on grass field. After missing the ball, pilot applied power to gain altitude. At about 50 ft AGL power was reduced to cruise. About 100 feet before reaching yellow spectator tape at about 50 ft AGL, a left turn was initiated with about half throttle. Someone yelled warning. At about 45 degrees bank angle pilot saw he was passing spectator line and applied more brake. Glider began negative spin. After 360 degrees pilot gave some right brake and lowered throttle. At about 15 ft AGL pilot applied about half throttle attempting to have frame take impact. Motor frame hit on lower right side. Pilot rolled to right ending up right side of face to ground. Impact was 10 feet north of spectator marker tape. X-rays indicated no broken bones, pilot discharged to bed rest.

1. Pilot boxed himself in by flying below obstacles which required a turn to avoid (Intermediate Pilot Syndrome). 2. Pilot was attempting a downwind turn at low altitude with an unfamiliar wing. 3. Pilot allowed himself to be distracted by attempting to communicate while executing difficult maneuver. 4. Pilot used ground point as reference while executing downwind turn (downwind demon). 5. Being distracted, pilot instinctively pulled brake based on past experience with wing which had greater brake pressure. Unfamiliarity with new wing's brake sensitivity combined with high attachment points providing more brake authority led to over-braking and spin entry.

X-rays indicated no broken bones, pilot discharged to bed rest. Right side of face impacted ground. No direct body part impact - frame took most of the impact.

Return to the incident list: Incident List Fall, Wing Malfunction PPG Type: Type of Injury: Pilot Details Age: 0 Weight: 165 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level: Gear Details Wing Brand: Model: Mac Para Muse 28 DHV1 Size: Paramotor Frame: SD RDM, 65 lbs with Incident Details January 1, 2006 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident: There were 70to 80 ft trees along the West edge of the fields and a road with 80 foot tall power lines across the road along the South edge of the field. There was a yellow spectator tape 90 feet north of the road. Pilot was flying the Muse wing for the first time. The attachment points on the SD are high which allowed the pilot more brake authority than typical. In addition, Pilot normally flew a glider with significantly higher brake pressure that the Muse. Pilot was flying SW downwind close to ground to kick a ball on the grass field. After missing the ball he applied power to gain altitude. At about 50 ft agl power was reduced to cruise. About 100 feet before reaching the yellow spectator tape, at about 50 ft agl, a left turn was initiated with about half throttle. Some one yelled, Oh my God, if you can hear me kick your legs. Pilot began kicking legs – at about 45 degrees bank angle pilot saw he was passing spectator line and then applied more brake. Glider began negative spin. After 360 degrees pilot gave some right brake and lowered throttle. At about 15 foot agl Pilot applied about half throttle in an attempt to have frame take impact. Pilots motor frame hit on the lower right side. None of the pilots body parts impacted the ground directly. Pilot rolled to right ending up right side of face to the ground. Fellow pilots removed engine and immobilized pilot. Impact was 10 feet north of the spectator marker tape. X-rays indicated no broken bones, pilot discharged to bed rest. Main box frame distorted about 1 inch on both sides. One cage quarter panel destroyed by prop strike. * Pilot errors: 1 Pilot boxed himself in by flying below obstacles which then required a turn to avoid. [Intermediate Pilot Syndrome] 2 Pilot was attempting a downwind turn at low altitude with a wing he was unfamiliar with. 3 Pilot allowed himself to be distracted by attempting to communicate while executing a difficult maneuver. 4 Pilot used ground point as a reference while executing a downwind turn [downwind demon]. 5 Being distracted, pilot instinctively pulled brake based on past experience with wing which had greater brake pressure. Lack of serious injury due to frame taking impact along with flying an appropriate sized glider. 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): Video (if available): Other Files (if available): Return to the incident list: Incident List