Conquet, France
Paraglider Accident, 2019
Conquet, France
On 11th May 2019 a rescue helicopter intended to land at the beach to pick up an injured person. The pilot approached the beach from the South with local wind from North-West. At the same time a paraglider was flying on the right side (East) from the helicopter.
Witnesses on the ground observed the helicopter approaching and suddenly saw the paraglider dropping near the beach. The paragliders canopy collapsed some seconds after the helicopter passed by.
The flight path of the paraglider could be reconstructed based on witness / photo information. The pilot’s perspective was visualized in 3D with scan of the beach area. Finally, the overall scenario was analyzed in 3D together with a detailed aerodynamic simulation, to verify the reconstructed moment when the paragliders canopy collapsed.
The analysis confirmed that the wake turbulence was shifted to the East into the direction of the paraglider’s flight path.
BEA has published as well a "Lessons-Learned" Video, explaining the wake turbulence effect and the impact of local wind to its trajectory.
Many pilots and paraglider are aware about the danger of wake turbulence, however local wind conditions have to be considered, as they can change the wakes trajectory.
Witnesses on the ground observed the helicopter approaching and suddenly saw the paraglider dropping near the beach. The paragliders canopy collapsed some seconds after the helicopter passed by.
The flight path of the paraglider could be reconstructed based on witness / photo information. The pilot’s perspective was visualized in 3D with scan of the beach area. Finally, the overall scenario was analyzed in 3D together with a detailed aerodynamic simulation, to verify the reconstructed moment when the paragliders canopy collapsed.
The analysis confirmed that the wake turbulence was shifted to the East into the direction of the paraglider’s flight path.
BEA has published as well a "Lessons-Learned" Video, explaining the wake turbulence effect and the impact of local wind to its trajectory.
Many pilots and paraglider are aware about the danger of wake turbulence, however local wind conditions have to be considered, as they can change the wakes trajectory.
| bea2019-0234_1.pdf |