Incident Details

The pilot was approaching an area where a small group of onlookers were watching. In what appeared to be an act of showmanship, the pilot performed an aggressive turn while being less than 50ft AGL. The momentum of this turn sent the pilot in an upward trajectory, where he lost airspeed and suffered a momentary asymmetrical collapse. The collapse swung the pilot down, where he then pendulumed into a rebounding arc that sent him directly into the ground.

Low-altitude aggressive maneuver resulting in loss of airspeed and asymmetrical collapse with insufficient altitude for recovery

Fatal injuries from ground impact

Age 45, Weight 170 lbs, Male, PPG 2 rating, Less than 10 hours experience

1.3 m/s

Light Wind (1-5 mph)

Morning flight window, light and variable winds

USPPA Incident #2037 Pilot fatality performing low-altitude acrobatics PPG Type: Wheel Launch – Single Occupant Type of Injury: Fatality Pilot Details: Age: 45 Weight: 170 Gender: Male Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Intermediate – PPG 2 Pilot experience level: Less than 10 hours Gear Details: Wing Brand: [not specified] Model: [not specified] Size: [not specified] Paramotor Frame: with Incident Details: September 7, 2024 8:00 AM Location of the incident: Frederick, Colorado Type of Incident: Collision with terrain or ground obstacle, Pilot Error The pilot was approaching an area where a small group of onlookers were watching. In what appeared to be an act of showmanship, the pilot performed an aggressive turn while being less than 50ft AGL. The momentum of this turn sent the pilot in an upward trajectory, where he lost airspeed and suffered a momentary asymmetrical collapse. The collapse swung the pilot down, where he then pendulumed into a rebounding arc that sent him directly into the ground. Flight Window: Morning Wind Speed: Light Wind (1-5 mph) Type: Light and Variable Phase of Flight: Cruise/In Flight Type of Injury: Fatality Collateral Damage: None