Incident Details

Pilot performed normal preflight and decided to practice forward launches. Successfully executed forward launch with wing coming up nicely. Immediately after takeoff, pilot noticed left riser was twisted 360 degrees, causing slight left pull but brake line remained functional. Despite the issue, pilot decided to continue flying low around the pattern to land rather than landing immediately. On final approach, pilot realized alignment was too close to truck (only obstruction in 10-acre landing zone) but committed to the approach. Killed motor at 50 feet. At 10 feet altitude, pilot knew collision was inevitable. Attempted to flare and guard with legs but made glancing impact with side of truck, creating sizable dent. Pilot landed on buttocks with pain in left ankle. No apparent paramotor damage.

Primary cause was preflight error - pilot failed to properly check riser connections before takeoff, resulting in 360-degree twisted left riser. Contributing factors included poor landing zone management (lining up on truck/windsock in middle of large open field) and possible pendulum effect from steering inputs. Pilot had developed habit of landing close to vehicle to minimize walking distance.

Pain in left ankle. Pilot was able to stand and walk after incident.

44 years old, 205 lbs, approximately 30 flights experience. Intermediate pilot syndrome noted.

Ideal conditions with light wind sufficient for reverse launch

Incident Details January 7, 2009 Location of the incident: , Type of Incident: Conditions were ideal. I did a normal preflight, laid out my wing and warmed up my motor. I had difficulty with forward launches and planned to do numerous forward launch flights and practice landings. There was just enough wind to reverse launch which I felt very comfortable with and considered doing to get some quick flights and landings in but I decided to work on the forward launch. I clipped in forward and pulled my wing up. It went up very nice and I think I finally got the technique down after lots of ground handling practice in the park. I looked up, the wing was up and straight, It felt good and I throttled up. As soon as I left the ground, I knew something was wrong with my left riser. I was climbing out nicely and I looked at my L riser and realized it was twisted 360. I was clearly pulling slightly left but my L brake line was not affected and worked properly. So, my very first thought was to go throttle off and land immediately but when I realized I had near normal control I decided to stay low and go around the pattern and land back at my LZ. As I turned on final I guess I was thinking more about my problem and I realized I was nearly lined up on my truck which was the only thing in the middle of this 10 acre LZ. I thought I was offset enough and in a desire to land and correct my hook in I committed to my approach. I killed my motor about 50 feet off and continued in. I was uncomfortable with my closeness to my truck and gave a bit of right brake but backed off to be straight on the final. I guess because of the twist I continued to pull left and 10 feet off I knew I was going to hit the side of my truck (there might have been a bit of pendulum from my steering input also). I tried to flare and guarded with my legs but I did hit it and made a sizable dent on the glancing impact. I ended up on my but fairly gently with a pain in my L ankle. I sat there a minute doing a physical survey and with only ankle pain, I unclipped and stood up. There was no apparent damage to my paramotor as far as I can tell. It appears that only my truck and my ankle are damaged (and pride). So what did I hopefully learn? 1. It is absolutely critical that you take off with risers connected properly. I will always look at my hook in 3 times before I launch. I think it's also important to establish a good routine and always use it. I have about 30 flights and probably had some intermediate pilot syndrome. 2. In an emergency, land with all possible precaution and clearance from obstructions. I think I focused on my windsock as my safety point and without thinking, I lined up on it and ended up hitting it. 3. In the future, I plan to pick and spot at least 75′ from any obstruction for my landing spot. I think I tended to land close to my car so I would not have to walk far. That practice bit me in the rear end. Landing clear of any obstacle needs to be the habit and the norm so I do it in a crisis. I am embarrassed by this and hope it helps some pilot some day. Pilot Details Age: 44 Weight: 205 Gender: Highest rating held at the time of the incident: Pilot experience level: