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 |
|
21.09.2022 |
Male
Age:
64
Rating:
AP
Flying Experience:
36 years
2000 hours
(4 hours)
|
Ager Montsec,
Spain
Wind Strength:
35-40 km/h
Conditions:
Strong |
Flexwing Hang Glider
Wing:
Wills Wing
U2
Launch Type:
Foot |
The pilot was assisted towards launch by another experienced pilot. A thermal was blowing through and so a third pilot held the left wing wire from behind. Hang check was performed. Pilot lifted the A frame and was assessing conditions when the lower front wires came away from the nose ripping out of the assistants fingers. The pilot and wing were lifted backwards, 2-3 m into the air. The assistant on the left side wire was able to hold on and so the glider slewed around and came down sideways to the wind. The pilot landed on feet.
The lower front wires keyhole tang nose catch had somehow disconnected itself.
|
Unhurt |
|
20.09.2022 |
Male
Age:
40
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
7 years
330 hours
(30 hours)
|
Kronplatz,
Italy
Wind Strength:
10-15 km/h
Conditions:,
Strong Turbulence,
Foehn |
Speedflyer/Miniwing
Wing:
Swing
Mirage RS 2
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot launched with a group, 3 wings in front had good glide, as did the 1 behind. Pilot launched into sinking air and impacted slope heavily.
|
Seriously Injured,
Lumbar Spine
|
|
20.09.2022 |
Male
Age:
62
Rating:
AP
Flying Experience:
42 years
2000 hours
(60 hours)
|
Pena Negra,
Spain
Wind Strength:
5-10 km/h
Conditions:
Moderate,
Moderate Turbulence |
Paraglider
Wing:
Niviuk
Artik 4
Launch Type:
Foot |
While thermalling, pilot noticed left stabilo line had snapped. Having replaced the line pilot noticed that while thermalling to the right, in turbulent conditions, he had a tendency to push the left brake handle forward. This resulted in the brake line and stabilo line rubbing against each other.
|
Unhurt |
|
16.09.2022 |
|
N/A,
UK |
Other |
During repack, licensed packer noticed that the bridle had been removed from the parachute. The lines were connected directly to a maillon rapide. Problem had not been picked up on two previous repacks.
|
|
|
12.09.2022 |
Male
Age:
57
Rating:
CP
Flying Experience:
56 hours
(5 hours)
|
Levante SE landing field,
Spain
Wind Strength:
5-10 km/h
Conditions:
Calm,
Moderate Turbulence |
Paraglider
Wing:
Axis
Pluto 2
Launch Type:
Foot |
The pilot released big ears and gave two deep hard pumps on both brakes to attempt to clear the ears. The glider entered a stall and the pilot put hands up resulting in an immediate surge forward resulting in frontal collapse and rapid height loss.
|
Seriously Injured |
|
11.09.2022 |
Male
Age:
70
Rating:
CP
Flying Experience:
10 years
24 hours
(2 hours)
|
Plaine Joux,
France
Wind Strength:
0-5 km/h
Conditions:
Calm,
Not Turbulent |
Paraglider
Wing:
Advance
Epsilon 8
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot took off but had not fastened his leg loops. Pilot steered towards the trees with difficulty. Pilot crashed into trees and fell to the ground.
|
Seriously Injured |
|
11.09.2022 |
Female
Age:
48
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
24 years
70 hours
(20 hours)
|
Rutland,
UK
Wind Strength:
5-10 km/h
Conditions:
Calm,
Not Turbulent |
Paraglider
Wing:
Advance
Epsilon 9
Launch Type:
Winch/vehicle Tow |
Pilot was unable to release Gin tow bridal from winch line as the locking pin was inserted too far into the loop of the three ring circus. With the loop going over the eye of the locking pin. Winch operator cut line and pilot eventually 'S' turned down to land.
|
Unhurt |
|
10.09.2022 |
Male
Age:
55
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
19 years
210 hours
(10 hours)
|
KittyHawk Aerodrome,
UK
Wind Strength:
5-10 km/h
Conditions:
Calm,
Light Turbulence |
Flexwing Hang Glider
Wing:
Airbourne
Sting 3
Launch Type:
Aero Tow |
Tug suffered engine-out during aerotow. Tug released line to hang glider pilot who was initially unable to make a release due to lack of tension. Pilot held the line in his teeth to create tension and was then able to release the line. Further inspection showed the line caught in the open shackle due to it being aligned in the opposite direction to when being towed.
|
Unhurt |
|
09.09.2022 |
Male
Age:
63
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
39 years
669 hours
(8 hours)
|
Llangollen,
UK
Wind Strength:
30-35 km/h
Conditions:
Strong,
Moderate Turbulence,
Thundery |
Flexwing Hang Glider
Wing:
Avian
Evo3
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot took off in 30 degree crosswind in windy and thermic conditions. Pilot turned left into the wind but encountered turbulent, lifting and sinking air. Pilot was unable to turn right, despite weight shift, before impacting the slope.
|
Seriously Injured,
Cervical Spine
|
|
02.09.2022 |
Male
Age:
63
Rating:
P
Flying Experience:
33 years
600 hours
(50 hours)
|
Parlick East Face,
UK
Wind Strength:
20-25 km/h
Conditions:
Moderate,
Light Turbulence |
Paraglider
Wing:
BGD
Base 2
Launch Type:
Foot |
Pilot encountered turbulence flying in strong conditions influenced by wave. Pilot lost control of the glider, which had possibly cravatted, and deployed his parachute. Pilot landed safely.
|
Unhurt |
|
Go to: Incident Reports (formal investigations)
|
|
Go to: Annual Incident Analysis Reports
|
