Paramotor pilot Gerhard Kall experienced a wing collapse 28 seconds into flight, falling from approximately 70 feet. He survived with serious injuries including fractured pelvis and vertebrae.
Wrong control input
High — very likely identified
During takeoff, approximately 28 seconds into flight, the pilot applied excessive brake input while climbing and turning left. This caused the wing to enter a full stall and spin. The wing collapsed and the pilot fell from approximately 70 feet (7 stories), crashing to the ground. Video footage captured the moment of the stall/collapse, with someone heard yelling 'let her fly' (release brakes). By the time rescuers found him, he was face down with all the equipment on top of him. The paramotor was extensively damaged.
Pilot applied excessive brake input while climbing and turning left shortly after takeoff. This caused the wing to enter a full stall with reversed airflow. The hard left turn against engine torque (pulley-driven engine torquing right) while pulling too much brake resulted in a spin. Someone on the ground was heard yelling 'let her fly' (release the brakes) but it was too late to recover at such low altitude.
Not deployed
Wrong input triggered incident
Fractured pelvis and vertebrae, extensive pain requiring helicopter evacuation and extensive rehabilitation
May 18, 2016
United States
Zephyrhills
Possibly Moster (pulley-driven)
Gerhard Kall
21 m
Video report from Tampa Bay ABC Action News about paramotor crash in Zephyrhills. Gerhard Kall experienced wing collapse 28 seconds into flight, fell from 70+ feet. Cell phone video captured the collapse. Found face down with equipment on top. Suffered fractured pelvis and vertebrae. Paramotor extensively damaged. Required helicopter evacuation and extensive rehab.