Incident Details

A novice pilot with 15 flights was cruising about 75′ AGL. The instructor told the pilot to use less brake input in his turns, and to go "hands up" to let the glider recover. The pilot raised one brake and buried the other, causing the wing to spin and twist the risers. The pilot fell from about 40 feet onto railroad tracks. He suffered a compound leg fracture and spent the night at a local trauma center/ICU.

Pilot error - incorrect brake input following instructor's radio guidance. Instead of releasing both brakes ("hands up"), pilot released one brake while burying the other, inducing a spin and riser twist. Novice pilot with insufficient experience to properly execute recovery maneuver.

Compound leg fracture requiring overnight stay at trauma center/ICU

Age: 33, Weight: 190 lbs, Gender: Male, Highest rating: PPG 1 (Beginner), Experience: Less than 10 hours (15 flights total)

1.3 m/s

Light Wind (1-5 mph)

Light and Variable

A novice pilot with 15 flights was cruising about 75′ AGL. The instructor told the pilot to use less brake input in his turns, and to go "hands up" to let the glider recover. The pilot raised one brake and buried the other, causing the wing to spin and twist the risers. The pilot fell from about 40 feet onto railroad tracks. He suffered a compound leg fracture and spent the night at a local trauma center/ICU. PPG Type: Foot Launch – Single Occupant Type of Injury: Major Injury Age: 33 Weight: 190 Gender: Male Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Beginner – PPG 1 Pilot experience level: Less than 10 hours Wing Brand: Ozone Model: Spyder3 Size: 28 Paramotor Frame: Parajet Maverick with Moster185 Location: San Antonio, Texas Type of Incident: Pilot Error Flight Window: Evening Wind Speed: Light Wind (1-5 mph) Type: Light and Variable Phase of Flight: Cruise/In Flight Collateral Damage: None