Pilot had an extremely close call with a Cessna aircraft while flying at 300 AGL, 1.5 miles from a non-towered airport. The Cessna pilot was flying directly into the sun and didn't see the paramotor. The PPG pilot spotted the aircraft to his far left and performed rapid evasive maneuvers, executing what turned into a giant wingover due to the rapid brake input. The aircraft passed overhead with minimal separation.
Midair collision / Near Miss
High — very likely identified
Pilot was flying along at cruise at 300 AGL, 1.5 miles from a non-towered airport. A Cessna aircraft flying directly at the paramotor pilot at over 100 mph appeared, flying directly into the sun. The Cessna pilot did not see the paramotor and did not divert path. The PPG pilot spotted the aircraft to his far left with only seconds to react and performed a rapid descent. The pilot intended to spiral but executed a giant wingover due to rapid brake input from being startled. The Cessna passed overhead with only 300-500 ft separation by the pilot's estimate.
Cessna pilot flying into sun and unable to see paramotor. Paramotor operating near non-towered airport pattern area at low altitude.
Not deployed
Mostly correct inputs while reacting
November 3, 2024
16:12:00
United States
Smoketown, Pennsylvania
Footlaunch
P2F LAF with Atom 80
Macpara
Charger
21
91 m
Age 38, Weight 180 lbs, Male, PPG 3 rating, 50+ hours experience
Almost collided
1.3 m/s
Light and Variable
Evening flight window
Had a extremely close call and almost mid air collision while flying along at cruise minding my own business. I had seconds to dodge a GA pilot in a Cessna flying directly at me while I was 1.5 miles away from a non-towered Airport at 300 AGL. He was flying directly into the sun and didn't even see me because he didn't divert his path once I reacted quickly and did a rapid decent as he flew over me by the skin of my teeth. He was less than 300 to 500 ft away once I spotted him cruising at over 100 mph. I saw him to my far left and was going to spiral, but it turned into a giant wingover because I was so startled having to rip brake so fast. Just a reminder for everyone to stay aware of your surroundings with the risk we take in this sport.