Pilot landed in river while foot dragging behind two other pilots. Got pushed into water by prop wash from pilots ahead. Stood up immediately in shallow water, took 3 attempts to launch from sandbar while soaking wet, successfully flew back to landing zone.
Turbulence
Maximum — exactly determined
During the 2020 Dave Purdin Fly-In, pilot was foot dragging the Scioto River along with Chris Holbert (Predator Paramotor) and Matt Greene. While attempting to get a shot of the two pilots ahead, the pilot misjudged and flew into their combined prop wash which pushed him straight into the water. His head went underwater briefly but he immediately stood up in approximately 8 inches of water. Emergency floats mounted on cage did not deploy as they didn't get deep enough. Wing and all clothing (long sleeve shirt, hoodie, jeans) became completely soaked. Chris Holbert, Matt Greene, and Lane Kubicki landed on nearby sandbar to assist. After shaking out the glider and resting, pilot made 3 launch attempts from the muddy sandbar (ground kept sinking). Third attempt was successful despite exhaustion and heavy wet clothing/equipment. Flew back to landing zone, performed a spiral to dry the glider, and landed safely with no injuries.
Pilot misjudged proximity and entered combined prop wash from two pilots flying ahead during foot dragging maneuver. Prop wash pushed pilot into water.
Not deployed
water (river, shallow - approximately 8 inches deep with sandbar)
September 5, 2020
United States
Westport, Ohio - Scioto River (Dave Purdin Fly-In)
Footlaunch
David Wolfe
1 m
Experienced pilot with extensive training in first two years, hosts 'Our Paramotor Nation' weekly show
Got in wake turbulence
Cool morning temperatures, low layer of clouds above
Video: PARAMOTOR CRASHES INTO A RIVER by David Wolfe (Sep 7, 2020) Description from video: I have no desire to embarrass myself... additionally I pride myself on being a safe pilot and an advocate of safe flying. I have had more training in my first two years of flying than most PPG pilots will have in their lives. But accidents can happen and rather than bury the video footage I will use this as an educational opportunity to hopefully help someone else avoid making the same mistake I made. While flying at the 2020 Dave Purdin Fly In, I was foot dragging the Scioto river when the unforeseen happened. Incident details: Cool Saturday morning at 21st annual Dave Purdin Fly-In in Westport, Ohio. Pilot took off on regular flight, found Scioto River where Chris Holbert of Predator Paramotor and students were flying. Pilot joined them foot dragging the river. Matt Greene was flying just ahead also foot dragging. Pilot attempted to get shot but misjudged effect of prop wash from both pilots ahead, which pushed him straight into water. Head went underwater briefly. Emergency floats mounted on cage never deployed as they didn't get deep enough. Stood up immediately in wet clothes (long sleeve shirt, hoodie, jeans). Chris, Matt, and Lane Kubicki landed on sandbar to help pull glider from river. Pilot caught a fish in the glider lines. After shaking out glider, attempted launch from sinking muddy ground while soaking wet. Took 3 attempts and extreme effort to get airborne due to exhaustion and weight of wet equipment. Successfully flew back to LZ, performed spiral to dry glider. No injuries.