Experienced paramotor pilot suffered serious spinal injuries after frontal wing collapse at low altitude while testing a brand new Ozone Viper XC wing. The pilot, unfamiliar with the advanced wing's behavior, did not perform ground handling before first flight and had insufficient altitude to recover.
Low — plausible assumptions
On November 5, 2023, at approximately 13:50 UTC, a paramotor pilot took off from Chalepianes near Tseri village to test a brand new Ozone Viper XC wing borrowed from its owner. The wing was being flown for the first time. A few minutes after becoming airborne, while at low altitude, the front side of the wing collapsed. A witness paramotor pilot on the ground saw the frontal collapse and watched the aircraft fall to the ground. The pilot was found unconscious and was transported by ambulance to the hospital where he underwent multiple operations for serious spinal injuries. Both propeller tips were torn in the impact. The flight was conducted in the MARKI training area (Class G uncontrolled airspace). Weather conditions were favorable with light winds (5-6 knots from 307°), clear skies, good visibility, temperature 24.8°C, approximately one hour before sunset.
Frontal wing collapse due to the pilot's unfamiliarity with the different control behavior of the new advanced-category wing compared to wings he was accustomed to flying. The pilot attributed the crash to his unfamiliarity with the new wing. Contributing factors included: (1) The wing was brand new and being flown for the first time without prior ground handling practice, (2) The Ozone Viper XC is an advanced wing designed for experienced pilots with different handling characteristics, (3) Low altitude at the time of collapse provided insufficient time for recovery before ground impact. The investigation report noted that proper practice would have been to perform ground handling exercises while wearing the harness to understand the wing's behavior before flying it.
Not deployed
field
Wrong input triggered incident
Serious spinal injuries requiring multiple operations. Pilot was found unconscious at the scene and was hospitalized until discharge after treatment.
November 5, 2023
13:50:00
Cyprus
Chalepianes, Tseri area
Footlaunch
Parajet Maverick
Vittorazi Motors
Ozone
Viper XC
18
53 years old, approximately 700 total hours, 26 hours last 90 days, 8 hours last 28 days. Experienced pilot but unfamiliar with this specific wing model.
2.1 m/s
5-6 knots from 307° (surface wind at Nicosia 1400-1500 UTC). At nearest station (Tamasos Dam 1330-1400 UTC): 260-316° at 4.1 average, 5.2 max knots
Day VMC, clear skies (FEW030), visibility more than 10km, no precipitation, temperature 24.8°C (Nicosia) / 24.6°C (Tamasos Dam), dew point 13.3°C / 15.5°C, QNH 1014 hPa, RH 58%. Flight conducted approximately 1 hour before sunset.
Time of flight was one hour before sunset, which is not favorable for thermals. Investigation concluded thermal activity was not a contributing factor.
Official Final Report from Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Board Cyprus (AAIIB), Reference 16.15.01.8/23, published April 15, 2025. Key findings from report: - Pilot was 53 years old with approximately 700 hours experience - Wing: Ozone Viper XC, Size 18 sqm, S/N: VPXCPK18-Y-38C-039, manufactured 11-10-2023 - Engine: Vittorazi Motors with E Props propeller - Frame: Parajet Maverick - Aircraft not registered in Cyprus Aircraft Register - Witness statement: "I heard a noise of a paramotor's engine and turned to see the pilot. When I turned, I saw the front side of the wing to fold and when folded fell to the ground." - Pilot interview: Attributed crash to unfamiliarity with new wing - Weather at time 1330-1400 UTC: Wind 260-316° at 4.1 avg/5.2 max knots, Temp 24.6°C, RH 58% - Accident location: approximately 200m from E120 road, 800m from Ktima Koushioumi, coordinates 35°03'25"N, 033°21'45"E - Time: 13:50 UTC (15:50 local time), approximately 1 hour before sunset (14:47 local) Report Conclusions: CAUSES: Collapse of front side wing, due to the different behaviour of the new wing to certain control functions for which the pilot was very well familiar with other wings. Due to the low altitude at that time, there was not enough time for the pilot to recover before hitting the ground. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS: The wing was brand new and first time used. This is an advanced wing designed for experienced pilots. Despite the pilot having advanced level of experience, had no experience for the specific wing. Instructor noted: "the only way that a paramotor pilot can understand the behaviour of his/her wing before flying it is to do ground handling." From Ozone Viper XC manual: "The Viper XC has been designed as a high performance solo paramotoring wing for competent experienced pilots only." Wing has DGAC certification and load tested to EN 926.1 but has not undergone independent flight certification. Not suitable for aerobatic maneuvers. Damage: Both propeller tips were torn. Report noted two previous similar local accidents (29/10/2020 and 10/10/2021) with serious injuries.