Accident to Tusker wing - Funflyer tandem trike powered paraglider identified 52GJ on 28/01/2018 at Dompierre-sur-Charente (Charente-Maritime)

While flying over the Charente river which had burst its banks, the pilot descended a first time to a height of six metres, and then continuously climbed and descended for one minute before coming into contact with the surface of the water. The pilot was continuously below the minimum flight height fixed by the regulations and most likely, out of reach of a landing area in the event of an engine failure. The duration of this overflight, the speed of the path and the first descent over the water two minutes before the accident indicate that it was very probably the pilot’s intention to fly over these zones and to come close to the surface of the water.

The aircraft collided with the water after the pilot released the throttle by inadvertence when he was flying a few meters above its surface. This action was concomitant with the pilot adjusting the angle of the camera which he had installed on this aircraft.