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 paraglider wings 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 |
|
24.05.2023 |
Male
Age:
59
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
6 years
75 hours
(12 hours)
|
Babadag 1900,
Turkey
Wind Strength:
15-20 km/h
Conditions:
Moderate,
Moderate Turbulence |
Paraglider
Wing:
Phi
Symphonia
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot suffered frontal collapse on launch. Suspected fell out of back of thermal. Landed on rocky ground from approx 3m.
|
Seriously Injured |
|
22.05.2023 |
Male
Age:
60
Rating:
CP
Flying Experience:
2 years
20 hours
(5 hours)
|
Clough head,
UK
Wind Strength:
5-10 km/h
Conditions:
Calm,
Light Turbulence,
Front Influence |
Paraglider
Wing:
Ozone
Buzz6
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot launched into a short-lived thermal cycle and had to slope land. Pilot landed on uneven, rocky ground, damaging ankle.
|
Seriously Injured,
Feet, Legs
|
|
21.05.2023 |
Male
Age:
24
Rating:
CP
Flying Experience:
2 years
20 hours
(5 hours)
|
Putsbrough, North Devon,
UK
Wind Strength:
10-15 km/h
Conditions:,
Not Turbulent |
Paraglider
Wing:
Skywalk
Arriba
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot took off on a coastal cliff soaring flight but misjudged wind strength. Being unable to gain the required height for a top landing the pilot was forced to land in the sea as there were no beach options. Pilot landed close to rocks and was eventually rescued. Pilot was unable to recover wing from the water.
|
Unhurt |
|
20.05.2023 |
Male
Age:
56
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
19 years
1200 hours
(65 hours)
|
Near Loft Crag,,
UK
Wind Strength:
10-15 km/h
Conditions:,
Moderate Turbulence |
Paraglider
Wing:
Ozone
Zeolite GT
Launch Type:
Foot |
In light winds pilot reversed launched into a breeze that was stronger than expected. Pilot was lifted off while still facing the wrong way resulting in a full riser twist. Pilot elected to fly out to get height but glider entered a turn and pilot collided with the hill at speed while still facing backwards.
|
Minor Injuries |
|
16.05.2023 |
Male
Age:
75
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
47 years
10000 hours
(3 hours)
|
Afton,
UK
Wind Strength:
10-15 km/h
Conditions:
Moderate,
Strong Turbulence |
Paraglider
Wing:
Niviuk
PEAK4
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot lost control of glider while thermalling in strong conditions. Pilot suspects over control lead to spin and eventual stall onto hill top.
|
Seriously Injured,
Hands, Arms, Shoulder
|
|
16.05.2023 |
Male
Age:
72
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
48 years
3000 hours
(50 hours)
|
Black Hill,
UK
Wind Strength:
25-30 km/h
Conditions:
Moderate,
Moderate Turbulence |
Paraglider
Wing:
BGD
Cure
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot was flying small site in windy and gusty conditions with the wind off the hill. Pilot misjudged approach and had asymmetric collapse, landing heavily.
|
Seriously Injured,
Feet, Legs
|
|
13.05.2023 |
Male
Age:
44
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
7 years
300 hours
(25 hours)
|
Cairngorms,
UK
Wind Strength:
25-30 km/h
Conditions:
Calm,
Strong Turbulence |
Paraglider
Wing:
Ozone
Alpina 4
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot didn't notice increase in wind strength and crossed high terrain into complex valley system. Pilot encountered severe turbulence and deployed emergency parachute. Pilot was dragged 250m before getting parachute under control.
|
Minor Injuries,
Pelvis
|
|
07.05.2023 |
Male
|
Bradwell,
UK
Wind Strength:
0-5 km/h
Conditions:
Calm,
Not Turbulent |
Paraglider
Wing:
Ozone
Geo 5
Launch Type:
Foot |
Visiting pilot took off into the path of another pilot. Both were able to take avoiding action. Pilot reflected that they had left too much time between checking airspace and launching.
|
Unhurt |
|
04.05.2023 |
Male
Age:
45
Flying Experience:
24 years
250 hours
(5 hours)
|
Montmin,
France
Wind Strength:
0-5 km/h
Conditions:,
Not Turbulent |
Paraglider
Wing:
Tripple Seven
Rook 2
Launch Type:
Foot |
Just prior to launch on SIV flight instructor noticed pilots leg stop buckle had not fully engaged. Pilot did not realise it was possible only to engage one side of the buckle. Pre flight check buckle wiggle did not spot error.
|
Unhurt |
|
01.05.2023 |
Male
Age:
40
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
15 years
650 hours
(20 hours)
|
Harting Down,
UK
Wind Strength:
20-25 km/h
Conditions:
Moderate,
Moderate Turbulence |
Paraglider
Wing:
Niviuk
Takoo 4
Launch Type:
Foot |
A gust came through while tandem pilot was setting up for launch. Pilot grabbed brake line which burnt through their glove causing a burn.
|
Pilot:
Minor Injuries
Hands, Arms, Shoulder
Passenger:
Unhurt |
|
Go to: Incident Reports (formal investigations)
|
|
Go to: Annual Incident Analysis Reports
|
