The random factor. Lack of physical or mental preparedness

An experienced P4 XC pilot flying tired in very strong thermic conditions was slow catching a forward surge of his glider resulting in a full frontal collapse.  The glider, a two liner, recovered aggressively from the collapse again catching the fatigued pilot off-guard resulting a late block of the surge.  This time the glider dove horizontal with the pilot and twisted three times.  

The pilot attempted to clear the twists with the brakes resulting with tendencies to spin.  The pilot then threw his reserve.  

The reserve was a rogallo attached to the rear attachment points.  The pilots head was forced down by the rogallo risers which deployed twisted making steering control difficult resulting in brushing against a tree damaging his equipment slightly.

Recommendations:  First, keep in mind that the glider here was a two liner.   Two liners often react very unpredictably in a non flying configuration.  Even advanced pilots will find them hard to bring under control during a cascade.

With that in mind, avoid flying strong conditions fatigued.  Almost always, even in strong conditions, you can avoid a frontal collapse with timely and adequate brake or B-line inputs.  

Even if you cannot fully prevent a collapse, strong inputs at the time of collapse pull the trailing edge down preventing cravats and keeping the tips of the glider apart.  

Experience is necessary to time the release of the glider to recover flight with a controlled surge.  Too late and the glider can deep stall; not enough control of the surge and the glider frontals again resulting in a possible cascade.

When your glider is cascading you have to kill its energy.  Locking the brakes in down low below your chest might be enough.  If not a stall and back fly will kill the energy and allow you to assess your altitude and or throw your reserve.  This works even with twists.

If you are already too low you must throw the reserve before the energy builds.  Whenever you are below 500 feet consider already making the decision to throw immediately upon losing control of the glider or entering a configuration you are not familiar with; again before the energy builds.  

If you allow the energy to build the glider could interfere with your reserve deployment or cause you to black out.  

From the Book of Risk:  Lack of physical or mental preparedness.

How to avoid it.

Learn to recognize it.

Separate your ego from the decision to fly.

Stand down and fly another day.

Practice the above at least once by repacking your glider on launch and standing down with out explaining why.  Just say something vague such as “I’m just not feeling it today.)

From the Book of Risk:  The random factor.

How to avoid it. 

The random factor cannot be avoided.

Acknowledge that with the safest practice paragliding carries a higher level of risk of death or injury than most other activities.