Engine failure at 1400 feet in 20-25 mph winds. Unable to penetrate headwind with speedbar/trimmers. Descended below tree level, lost wind effect, accelerated and crash landed, shattering ankle.
Hardware failure
High — very likely identified
Pilot was flying in high winds (20-25 mph) when engine failed at 1400 feet altitude. He attempted to land at a friend's house but couldn't penetrate into the wind even with trimmers out and full speedbar. Just before landing, barely cleared power lines and lined up with a narrow curving driveway, dodging trees. When the wing dropped below tree top level, it got out of wind effect and ground speed really accelerated. Pilot hit the ground hard.
Engine failure at altitude in high winds. Unable to penetrate headwind. When descending below tree level into wind shadow, sudden loss of headwind component caused rapid ground speed increase and hard landing.
driveway
Shattered right ankle with foot rolling outward and ankle bone popping out. Required surgical repair with two plates, one pin, and twelve screws. Estimated 6-12 months on crutches.
January 7, 2009
United States
Footlaunch
Fly Products Gold 115
Silex
427 m
Age 54, Weight 175 lbs, Male
Fully open
Fully engaged
10.3 m/s
20-25 mph
High winds
=== https://usppa.org/incidents/entry/1250 === Return to the incident list: Incident List Wind shadow crash PPG Type: Type of Injury: Pilot Details Age: 54 Weight: 175 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level: Gear Details Wing Brand: Model: Silex Size: Paramotor Frame: Fly Products Gold 115 with Incident Details January 7, 2009 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident: I was flying in high winds, 20-25 mph, and had an engine out at 1400′. I was near a friends house and was trying to land there. Flying a Silex, I had trimmers out and full speedbar but couldn’t penetrate into the wind. Just before landing I barely cleared some power lines, lined up with a narrow curving driveway and dodged a few trees along the driveway. When the wing dropped below tree top level it got out of wind effect and my ground speed really accelerated. I hit the ground and watched my right foot roll to the outside and the ankle bone popped right out. No equipment damage. I wish I could say the same. Well, I shattered my right ankle and now have two plates, a pin & twelve screws in it. I’ll probably be on crutches for 6-12 months. 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