Pilot was forward kiting in gusty winds (up to 14mph) when a gust overpowered him and dragged him backwards. While trying to turn around to reverse kite, his foot caught on concrete gutter at the edge of the soccer field, causing him to fall and get dragged about 5ft before bringing the wing down. Resulted in dislocated pinky, scrapes and bruises.
Maximum — exactly determined
Pilot was forward kiting when wind gusting to approximately 14mph overpowered him. He was dragged backwards and attempted to turn around to reverse kite and unload the wing. At the edge of the soccer field, his foot caught on a piece of concrete gutter that was above grass level. He fell while halfway turned around and was dragged about 5ft on the ground before managing to bury the right brake to bring the wing down sideways. He was wearing safety gear and using a kiting harness.
Forward kiting in conditions that required reverse kiting (wind gusting to 14mph). Wind gust overpowered the pilot, and environmental hazard (concrete gutter) at edge of field caused the fall.
Not deployed
Some correct and some wrong inputs
Fully dislocated pinky at the 2nd joint, minor scrapes and bruises
May 29, 2023
18:00:00
United States
Manhattan, Kansas
Footlaunch
Dudek
Solo
41 years old, 231 lbs, male, PPG 2 rating, 50+ hours experience
6.3 m/s
Moderate wind 5-9 mph with gusts to approximately 14 mph
Evening conditions with light and variable wind, gusting
Fall during kiting resulting in dislocated pinky. PPG Type: Foot Launch – Single Occupant Type of Injury: Minor Injury Pilot Details: Age: 41 Weight: 231 Gender: Male Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Intermediate – PPG 2 Pilot experience level: 50+ hours Gear Details: Wing Brand: Dudek Model: Solo Size: [not specified] Paramotor Frame: NA NA with NA Incident Details: May 29, 2023 6:00 PM Location of the incident: Manhattan, Kansas Type of Incident: Fall or Trip (While on the ground), Pilot Error I was forward kiting when I should have been reverse kiting due to the wind gusting to approx 14mph. A wind gust overpowered me today when I was kiting my wing. I was drug backwards by a wind gust. I tried turning around to reverse and unload the wing but was now at the edge of the soccer field and my foot got caught on a piece of concrete gutter that was up above the grass. I was half way turned around when I fell and got drug about 5ft on the ground. I was able to bury the right brake to bring the wing down in a sideways position. I suffered minor scrapes, bruises and fully dislocated my pinky at the 2nd joint. I was wearing safety gear and using a kiting harness. Flight Window: Evening Wind Speed: Moderate Wind (5-9 mph) Type: Light and Variable Phase of Flight: Other/Unknown Type of Injury: Minor Injury Collateral Damage: None