Pilot performing tight 360-degree spirals at low altitude near beach crashed into hard-packed sand, likely due to turbulence or own wake turbulence. Resulted in broken lower back with vertebrae fusion.
Turbulence
High — very likely identified
Pilot was performing tight (steep) 360 degree spirals down low near a beach. Either turbulence or his own wake caused enough upset that he wound up hitting the hard packed sand near the surf. His lower back was broken and after 4 days in the hospital he went home with several fused vertebrae. Other injuries were fortunately minor.
Pilot was performing aggressive spiral maneuvers at low altitude. Either atmospheric turbulence or wake turbulence from his own spiraling caused sufficient upset to result in loss of control and ground collision.
Not deployed
hard-packed sand beach
Wrong input triggered incident
Broken lower back requiring vertebrae fusion surgery. Hospitalized for 4 days. Other injuries were minor.
January 1, 2006
Footlaunch
Sky Cruiser Simonini
Nerveiour
Return to the incident list: Incident List Collision with Terrain/Obstruction on Ground PPG Type: Type of Injury: Pilot Details Age: 0 Weight: 200 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level: Gear Details Wing Brand: Model: Nerveiour Size: Paramotor Frame: Sky Cruiser Simonini with Incident Details January 1, 2006 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident: Pilot was doing tight (steep) 360 degree spirals down low near a beach. Either turbulence or his own wake caused enough upset that he wound up hitting the hard packed sand near the surf. His lower back was broken and, after 4 days in the hospital he went home with several fused vertebrae. Other injuries were fortunately minor. 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): Return to the incident list: Incident List