Citation

az-Vilela LF. Hum. Factors Aerosp. Safety 2005; 5(1): 81-84.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Ashgate Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

I just did not fasten my harness! How could that happen? I was an expert paraglider pilot, being a trainer and competitor for more than ten years and was well known locally for my conservative and safe attitudes. Three phases require some analysis: the preparation to fly; the flight itself (and the accident) and the actions post-accident. The first important set of behaviours a paraglider pilot has to pay attention to involve what can be called 'the groundwork'. First you should empty your bladder (in case of shock it becomes a bomb inside you if it is full); then you observe the local air and weather conditions (by drawing data from smoke, birds, other paragliders, etc.); then you decide whether to fly or go for a beer. Only when you decide to fly, must you follow the dressing protocol. When I turned and started the flight, it was too late. But why did I not secure myself? I just broke the protocol. After I fitted my instruments and put on my harness. I had not yet fastened either my belts or the emergency parachute bag. When I started moving around my colleague's sail the bag was dragging, so I simply attached it into its position without securing the belts! At this stage, three things could have avoided the accident, two engineering based and one with a psychological basis. Undoubtedly I am a lucky man. Several circumstances have kept me alive.