Incident
- ID:
- SFFL 109
- Incident category:
- Speed Flying Fatality List
- Date:
- 01. 12. 2024
- Time:
- 14:20
- Cause of death:
- Failed Cliff Launch
- Launch site:
- Austria › Tyrol (Tirol) › Hafelekar, Nordkettenbahn (Hungerburg, Innsbruck-Stadt), Karwendel mountains
Equipment
- Wing:
- Flare › Line
- Wing size:
- 15.0 m²
- Safety devices:
- Unknown Belly mounted reserve
Personal
- Name:
- Christoph Grunow
- Age:
- 30
- Weight:
- —
- Gender:
- Male
- Nationality:
- Austrian
- Experience level:
- Experienced
- Experience description:
- —
- Time on wing:
- —
Circumstances
- Conditions:
- Perfect Backwinds Unknown No winds
- Factors:
- Impact into rocks Launch Failure
Description
Update 6th January 2025,
Christoph launched directly on the plateau next to the top station of the cable car at Hafelekar. The spot he chose for launching is a standard choice. He has been flying there before.
Wind speeds were low with a small tendency for tailwind. Inflation of the wing was normal and Christoph had a stable wing above his head short after starting the launch sequence. A few steps after reaching the edge of the plateau (in increasingly steep terrain), he slipped (might have been a loose rock, a - possibly wet - patch of grass, some leftover snow, or just bad luck), and fell on his right side, but was, due to his already high speed and the following steep terrain (>30°), not able to abort the launch anymore and became airborne. It is possible, that he was unconcious after his initial fall. It also seems likely that he got twisted under his wing. After flying out in a shallow, slight turn for about 2-3 seconds, his wing went into a steep spiral dive and he impacted the ground on an almost vertical flight path moments later. Due to the steep terrain the impact point was located about 200m below the plateau where he launched. First responders were with him soon after his crash and started resuscitation procedures. It is likely that he was dead directly upon impact.
Christoph was well equipped with shoes suitable for alpine terrain, a certified paragliding helmet, and a belly-mounted reserve. There were no signs of a reserve deployment. Christoph started paragliding about 2-3 years ago (mainly hike & fly) and got into speed flying less than 1 year ago. He invested into a speed flying course and was not self-taught but also did not have a local mentor. Regarding maneuvers, he was a conservative pilot. While he had not been in the sport for a very long time, he was current and flew regularly.
The launch site is known as demanding and not suitable for beginners as it does not allow major mistakes, requires quick and full commitment and comes with an even more demanding landing site. To remark at this point, the site is due to the special procedures prescribed by the close by airport not generally open for the public. Wind conditions were less than optimal, even though pilots have already launched there in much worse conditions. At the day of the accident there have been other pilots flying. Enough headwind resulting in a lower launch speed might have reduced the chance of the accident happening.
Initial press reports:
A yound paraglider died near Innsbruck on Sunday after crashing his speed glider to the ground.
At around 14:20 on Sunday, a 30-year-old man took the Nordkettenbahn cable car to the Hafelekar near Innsbruck to fly downhill with a speed glider. After taking off, the experienced pilot performed a double roll, as described to the police by witnesses. However, he lost so much altitude that the second roll could not be completed and he hit the ground with full force in a steep gully.
Three people who had witnessed the crash rushed to the victim to administer first aid. Shortly afterwards, a medical crew arrived by emergency helicopter to take over, but resuscitation efforts were without success. The paraglider succumbed to serious injuries at the scene of the accident. The body was recovered by the police helicopter at 14:45 and brought down to the valley.
Fatal accident in Innsbruck – paraglider performs "feat" – falls to his death | Heute.at