Power Line Saves PPG Pilot

Beach pilot with hundreds of hours meets mountain air. While attempting to fly in rowdy air at 7000 ft ASL, John Black is saved by a power line when his wing collapses. Strong winds on the beach are nothing like strong winds in the mountains and foothills of Colorado. Lesson Learned.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• bubba
• adventures
• ppg
• powered
• paragliding
• paraglider
• crash
• John
• Black

[BubbaPPG]

Mark,

Read my comment above. PPG is the safest form of personal aviation when you fly in normal conditions.

[wolfi1802]

why did the glider colapse? what did the pilot say? was it induced by pulling the A? How were the weather conditions? Lee? If there is no explanation for the accident, I don't think that its a save sport.

[BubbaPPG]

The pilot had determined that the conditions were not good, but decided to fly anyway when approached by interested persons who wanted to see him launch. Simple case of making a bad decision. I'm glad to report he is in good health and still flying. The sport is very safe in normal conditons. On this day the wind was strong, gusty and variable with intermitent snow showers near by. Thanks for asking :-)

[flyhghgy]

Glad to see the pilot survived!

[MrScribblydibbly]

he had jet black hair b4 the accident.

[leklek69]

hahaha stupid americans

[gilessmokey]

@discothief fly safe in calm conditions,eg when hot air baloon are flying.

[zestyguy87]

@BubbaPPG Thinking about getting one of these. Friend of mine here in Newton Falls, OH sells them and even includes free training when you buy from him. Cant wait!

[flyerppc]

What happened is very scarey!! I can relate to a similar incident in a cessna 172, on take off got hit with a down draught bounced off the runway before getting airborne. Hence would say design would not matter when mother nature decides to unleash!!

[MegaSPORT2]

Yes, there are reserves and you only need 50 to 75' for one to open. I am picking up a black hawk 120 package deal. Package does not include reserve...500 dollar option. Way cheaer than a ride in an ambulance... or worse.

[jwboll]

@egzi

you should watch some of imasuper's videos! you'll realize it's only a matter of time before he is unable to respond to your comments! (it doesn't matter what he is flying)

[imasuper0308]

No it doesn't fine sir, because the harness can just swing into the ground the pilot will just HIT the ground. The cage & frame can only act as impact absorbtion if there are solid comfort bars holding the pilot off the ground and forcing the bottom and sides to crush before the pilot hits. Make sense? That's why he broke his back when he hit the ground. There was nothing to absorb the impact. I have full stalled into the ground on a Flat Top with a 17sm glider, the crumple zone saved me!!

[egzi]

"The Fresh Breeze has ZERO crumple zone"

Depends on which side.

[imasuper0308]

No, the reason for the collapse was because he had the trim tabs out. That and the problem with the Fresh Breeze is why it didn't recover properly after the first collapse. Having an oops in this sport is pretty much guaranteed. The Flat Top has crumple zone to absorb that impact, odds are if he had been flying a Flat Top he wouldn't have been injured. Yes the Flat Top does make a huge difference in safety. The Fresh Breeze has ZERO crumple zone. ZERO. That's like no seat belt in a car.