Paragliding Accidents

Powered paragliding accidents can be both dangerous and scary.

Thankfully, I've only had a few minor mishaps with damage to my prop, motor, or wing. Physically I've been completely unscathed.


For the most part, I consider flying a paramotor to be a relatively safe sport if you take some common sense precautions.

  • Practice with your wing until you have a good feel for it.
  • Drill the basics with your motor on your back till you feel fairly confident and ready to go.
  • Learn about how weather affects flying.
  • Understand the affect thermals have on your flight.
  • Study your surroundings before you take off in a new location so that you're aware of all the power lines, etc., in the area. They can be harder to see from the air.
  • Don't "show off" too much. Let's face it. We can't help it a bit, but just don't get carried away and act foolishly.

Fatal paragliding accidents can be devastating to all those who are involved. The family of the pilot will obviously be distraught. That kind of goes without saying. But others are affected too.


My wife enjoys watching me fly, but she's always saying that she hopes if I ever have a serious paragliding crash, she doesn't want to be there to see it. I guess that would be a double whammy!


It's pretty tough on the people who witness a fatal paraglider crash. No matter how it happens, it's not going to be a pretty sight and can have lasting emotional effects.


A lot of us pilots enjoy going to "fly ins" where a big group of us gather for a few days to fly together. It's a really great time and pilots often bring their spouses and children. I know of a few instances where there were fatal flying accidents and I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for all those in attendance.


I'm definitely NOT trying to scare anyone out of becoming a powered paragliding pilot. Just the opposite, in fact. It's my favorite sport! Like I said at the beginning, it's actually very safe (even though some people don't think so by looking at it as a spectator). I just want to encourage everyone to use their common sense and if you are going to do it, do it right! :)


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