Pilot practicing stall to tailslide was too quick catching the dive on recovery, leading to parachutal stall, then helicopter spin with riser twist that locked brake lines. Unable to recover, pilot deployed reserve and landed safely.
Wrong control input
High — very likely identified
Pilot was practicing stall to tailslide maneuvers. During recovery from the tailslide, the pilot was too quick in catching the dive. This caused the wing to enter a parachutal stall, which then transitioned into a helicopter spin (heli). The pilot was unable to recover from the heli and experienced riser twist that locked the brake lines, making the wing unrecoverable. Recognizing the situation, the pilot deployed the emergency parachute and landed safely.
Pilot error during acrobatic maneuver recovery - too aggressive/quick input when catching the dive after tailslide. This precipitated a cascade of events: parachutal stall → helicopter spin → riser twist with locked brake lines.
Fully opened
Wrong input triggered incident
May 27, 2023
United Kingdom
Somerton Drove, Somerton
Footlaunch
Parajet Maverick
BGD
Epic Freestyle
40 years old, male, 8 years flying experience, 300 hours total (20 hours on type, 30 flights on type), PPG rating
2.1 m/s
5-10 km/h
Calm, not turbulent
27.05.2023 Male Age: 40 Rating: PPG Flying Experience: 8 years 300 hours (20 hours) (30 flights) Somerton Drove, Somerton, UK Wind Strength: 5-10 km/h Conditions: Calm, Not Turbulent Powered PG Wing: BGD Epic Freestyle Launch Type: Powered Engine: Parajet, Maverick Whilst practicing stall to tailslide, pilot was too quick catching the dive on recovering from the tailside. Wing then entered parachutal stall then heli. Pilot did not recover heli and experienced riser twist that locked the brake lines. Pilot realised wing was unrecoverable and deployed emergency parachute, landing safely.