Paragliding Take-off and Landing Areas at Long Ke Wan
The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) has published the investigation report (IVR-2025-05) into an accident involving a PHI Fantasia 22 paraglider with its pilot perished at Long Ke Wan, Sai Kung, on 15 February 2023.
At about 1:45 pm on 15 February 2023, a pilot using a PHI Fantasia 22 paraglider took off from the paragliding take-off area at Biu Tsim Kok in Long Ke, and planned to land at the beach. At about 1:50 pm, the pilot was found landing short of the beach and became stranded in the sea about 60 metres from the beach shore.
The Pilot was rescued and airlifted to the hospital by a Government Flying Service helicopter for medical management. He was certified dead later on the same day.
The investigation concluded that this accident likely occurred because the paraglider landed short of the beach due to head wind, resulting in an emergency water landing and the tragic drowning of the pilot. The investigation team has made three safety recommendations to the Hong Kong China Paragliding Association and the International Paragliding Association.
These recommendations are: (1) reminding all Hong Kong paragliding pilots who plan to fly across the waters to be proficient in emergency procedures for unexpected water landings; (2) advising pilots to wear automatically operating lifejackets capable of providing high buoyancy; and (3) emphasising the crucial importance for pilots to formulate an appropriate flight plan and fully assess various changing conditions likely to occur during the flight for risk management purposes.
The investigation was conducted by a team of professional investigators in strict adherence to international standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). “The objective of the investigation was to identify the circumstances and causes of the accident with a view to preventing a recurrence,” an AAIA spokesperson said.
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