Pilot reached up with both hands to right trim, seconds later entered fast right spiral with 2.5 revolutions from 250 feet AGL and hit ground. Post-incident inspection found left trim completely released while right trim was not released, creating asymmetric configuration.
Wrong control input
High — very likely identified
3 minutes into flight after takeoff, pilot was flying next to witness Matt approximately 250 feet AGL. Witness noticed pilot reach up with both hands to his right trim. Seconds later, pilot did a very fast right side spiral with 2.5 revolutions and hit the ground. Post-incident equipment inspection found one trim (left) completely released while the right one was not released.
Not deployed
Wrong input triggered incident
April 14, 2023
08:02:00
United States
Port Charlotte/Cape Haze Preserve, Florida
Footlaunch
Macfly Folding cage
Moster 185
Gin
Carve
18
76 m
Age: 60, Weight: 180 lbs, Gender: Male, PPG 2 rated, 50+ hours experience
2.5 m/s
Light wind (1-5 mph), steady/laminar
Morning, light wind, steady/laminar
PPG Type: Foot Launch – Single Occupant Type of Injury: Fatality Pilot Details: Age: 60 Weight: 180 Gender: Male Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Intermediate – PPG 2 Pilot experience level: 50+ hours Gear Details: Wing Brand: Gin Model: Carve Size: 18 Paramotor Frame: Macfly Folding cage with Moster 185 Incident Details: April 14, 2023 8:02 AM Location of the incident: Port Charlotte/ Cape haze preserve, Florida Type of Incident: Unknown 3 minutes into our flight after takeoff, I was flying next to Matt approximately 250 agl and noticed him reach up with both hands to his right trim. Seconds later, he did a very fast right side spiral with 2 1/2 revolutions and hit the ground. After inspecting the equipment, we found one trim completely released, which would be the left one. The right one was not released. Flight Window: Morning Wind Speed: Light Wind (1-5 mph) Type: Steady / Laminar Phase of Flight: Cruise/In Flight Type of Injury: Fatality Collateral Damage: None