Incident reports received by the BHPA are available in summary form on this page. If you're looking for reports of formal investigations undertaken in the case of a serious incident, please visit our Incident Reports (formal investigations) page.
Incident reports for all wing types are displayed below in summary form.
The BHPA incident reports database is fully searchable. To refine your search you can specify a particular wing type and select "or" or "and". For example, if you want to search for paraglider incidents at Hay Bluff, for best search results select paraglider from the drop down list and the "and" option.
If available, total hours flown and hours flown in the previous six months are included below, with the latter displayed in brackets.
| Date |
Pilot |
Location |
Wing Type |
Summary |
Injury |
|
02.06.2018 |
Male
Age:
44
Rating:
CP
Flying Experience:
6 years
21 hours
(14 hours)
|
Buttermere Festival,
UK
Wind Strength:
0-5 km/h
Conditions:
Calm,
Light Turbulence |
Paraglider
Wing:
Sup Air
Leaf
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot misjudged landing approach in light wind conditions. Pilot ran out of landing area and collided with a food van and bystander.
|
Unhurt |
|
01.06.2018 |
Female
Age:
33
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
15 years
35 hours
(3 hours)
|
Poniente,
Spain
Wind Strength:
10-15 km/h
Conditions:
Moderate,
Moderate Turbulence |
Paraglider
Wing:
Advance
Alpha 6
Launch Type:
Foot |
Low airtime Pilot struck power lines while making landing approach.
|
Seriously Injured |
|
30.05.2018 |
Male
Age:
56
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
15 years
112 hours
|
Private Field,
UK
Wind Strength:
5-10 km/h |
Powered PG
Wing:
Ozone
Roadster 2
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot took off successfully but was caught out by rotor from trees in stiffening breeze.
|
Minor Injuries |
|
28.05.2018 |
Male
Age:
43
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
30 years
487 hours
(11 hours)
|
Dodd Fell (East),
UK
Wind Strength:
20-25 km/h
Conditions:
Moderate,
Moderate Turbulence,
Leeside |
Flexwing Hang Glider
Wing:
Avian
Evo2
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot made approach to impromptu bottom landing field but did not anticipate steep wind gradient. Pilot landed fast causing minor damage to upright and A frame knuckle joint.
|
Unhurt |
|
23.05.2018 |
Male
Age:
46
Rating:
AP
Flying Experience:
20 years
500 hours
(20 hours)
|
Curium,
Cyprus
Wind Strength:
15-20 km/h
Conditions:,
Light Turbulence |
Paraglider
Wing:
Advance
Bi Beta 5
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot launched glider but realised that it was lifting asymmetrically and saw that one of the wing crew still had hold of the wing tip. Pilot shouted to ‘let go’ which they didn’t. Within a split second both the passenger and pilot were swung uncontrollably to the side of the launch site.
|
Pilot:
Unhurt
Passenger:
Minor Injuries |
|
20.05.2018 |
Male
Age:
43
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
30 years
487 hours
(11 hours)
|
Mendlesham,
UK
Wind Strength:
0-5 km/h
Conditions:
Calm,
Not Turbulent |
Flexwing Hang Glider
Wing:
Avian
Evo2
Launch Type:
Winch/vehicle Tow |
Pilot crashed on take-off on winch launch. Pilot called "all out" before wind was fully on anticipating it would straighten but it did not. Also, possibility of thermal turbulence sinking down from above during launch pushing right wing down.
|
Minor Injuries,
Feet, Legs
|
|
19.05.2018 |
Male
Age:
47
Flying Experience:
5 years
|
Darley Moor Airfield,
UK
Wind Strength:
0-5 km/h
Conditions:
Calm,
Not Turbulent |
Paraglider
Wing:
Ozone
Atom 3 |
Forward launch on winch. Wing off line to right. Pilot control input to the right causing wing to go towards lock out. Operator guillotined. Student instructed to pull left and finally instructed to PLF.
|
Minor Injuries,
Hands, Arms, Shoulder
|
|
18.05.2018 |
Male
|
UK |
Powered PG
Wing:
Unknown
Launch Type:
Powered
Engine:
Zanzoterra |
Pilot was reported to have been attempting to start his paramotor engine on the ground (not on his back) when the incident occurred. He sustained fatal head injuries when the prop came into contact with his head. Post incident inspection of the motor revealed the throttle handle was locked at half throttle position. The unit was fitted with an electric start system and showed signs of previous damage to one the cage upright supports.
|
Fatal |
|
18.05.2018 |
Male
Age:
48
Rating:
CP
Flying Experience:
6 years
10 hours
(7 hours)
|
Putsborough,
UK
Wind Strength:
15-20 km/h
Conditions:
Calm,
Not Turbulent |
Paraglider
Wing:
Gin Gliders
Bollero 5
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot slipped during reverse launch ground handling practice, coupled with a sudden gust of wind. Resulted in sudden lift from and immediate repatriation with the ground at speed.
|
Seriously Injured,
Feet, Legs
|
|
18.05.2018 |
Male
Age:
57
|
UK |
Powered PG |
Pre flight inspection of Icaro helmet revealed that one of the two retaining loops of plastic coated cord had snapped and detached at the front end at it's retaining point where it is fixed with a rivet. On inspection of spare helmet, it was found that in the same place, the outer plastic coating had snapped, but was still being retained by the inner cord core.
|
Unhurt |
|
Go to: Incident Reports (formal investigations)
|
|
Go to: Annual Incident Analysis Reports
|
