Incident Details

On June 28th, 2024 at 7:20pm, the pilot made the mistake of ground starting his paramotor. The engine had not been running for a week beforehand and he was attempting maintenance to get it started. Upon starting, the motor stuck at full throttle, tackled the pilot, and he ended up putting his head through the cage directly into the spinning prop. The prop struck his head above his left ear, causing a ping pong paddle-sized chunk of scalp to be barely attached to his head with blood everywhere. The incident damaged the top hoop section and both propeller blades, and destroyed his baseball cap.

Ground starting procedure combined with throttle malfunction (engine stuck at full throttle) resulted in uncontrolled paramotor movement that tackled the pilot into the spinning propeller

Major head injury - prop strike above left ear causing ping pong paddle-sized chunk of scalp barely attached with significant blood loss, required hospitalization

Return to the incident list: Incident List Ground start results in prop strike to the head PPG Type: Foot Launch – Single Occupant Type of Injury: Major Injury Pilot Details Age: Weight: Gender: Male Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Unknown Pilot experience level: Unknown Gear Details Wing Brand: Model: Size: Paramotor Frame: with Incident Details June 28, 2024 7:20 PM Location of the incident: Nashville, Tennessee Type of Incident: Prop Strike This report is from a social media post. The post includes images of a paramotor with the top hoop section & both propeller blades damaged, chopped up baseball hat, & numerous photos of the head injury. It appears the prop struck his head above his left ear, & there is a ping pong paddles sized chunk of scalp barely attached to his head with blood everywhere. The injury photos are in a hospital bed. “WARNING: GRAPHIC I almost didn’t make this post as I knew well beforehand not to make the embarrassing mistake of ground starting. But I make this to preach and spread awareness – DO NOT GROUND START. Friday June 28th at 7:20pm I made the horrible mistake of ground starting my paramotor. The engine had not been running for a week beforehand so I was attempting maintenance to get it started. Upon starting, the motor stuck at full throttle, tackled me, and I ended up putting my head through the cage directly into the spinning prop. I had the dangers of ground starting in the back of my head and could not believe I had made such a boneheaded mistake. Graphic photos to come, PM if you want more details or photos” Flight Window: Unknown Wind Speed: N/A or Unknown Type: N/A or Unknown Phase of Flight: Run-up Type of Injury: Major Injury Collateral Damage: N/A or Unknown 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