Tragedy in Kleblach-Lind: paraglider flight ends fatally for pilot

Tragedy in Kleblach-Lind: paraglider flight ends fatally for pilot

On July 22, 2025, a tragic paraglider accident occurred in the municipal area of Kleblach-Lind in the Spittal/Drau district. A 49-year-old German citizen started at 10:30 a.m. to a flight that was to lead to a nearby landing site. According to klick-kaernten.at , however, the experienced pilot did not reach enough height in the start-up phase and drifted off on the side. As a result, the linen of their paragliders caught in the tree tops, which led to a waste from a height of about ten meters.

Although eyewitnesses immediately activated the rescue chain and provided first aid, the revival of the injured was unsuccessful. The rescue workers, including the emergency doctor helicopter RK1, the alpine police, the mountain rescue Oberes Drautal and several police units, were only able to determine the death of the woman at the scene of the accident.

risks in paragliding

paragliding is a demanding and popular extreme sport, but this is also associated with considerable risks. According to bergstrassen-pictory.de , the sport enables the participants to experience freedom and adventure, but also harbors the risk of serious injuries and fatal accidents.

statistics show that the death rate in paragliding is about 1 out of 11,000 flights, while the injury rate is around 1 out of 1,000 flights. For comparison: parachute jumping has a significantly lower death rate of 1 of 167,000 jumps, while kite flying has a rate of 1 of 560 flights. This can cause a false feeling of security, since paragliding is often classified as less dangerous than other air sports.

frequent causes of accidents

Accidents of paragliding can be caused by a number of factors. According to extreme-emergency.de , the main causes are often due to the pilot's setting, insufficient preparation and changing weather conditions. Self -overestimation and inattentive behavior can have fatal consequences.

Especially away from urban areas, where emergency services take longer and the effort in the event of accidents in difficulties that are difficult to access, there is an increased risk of serious injuries. Despite the fact that paraglider flight schools convey basic safety instructions, many athletes do not adequately deal with possible emergencies.

importance of security and preparation

In order to avoid accidents, comprehensive security measures are essential. Aviation should regularly check their equipment, know the weather conditions well and train appropriate emergency procedures. It is also important to fly in groups or start with an experienced partner to ensure additional protection.

The tragic episode in Kleblach-Lind is reminiscent of the dangers of paragliding flexal and illustrates the need for constant preparation and a respectful approach to this sport. Security should always be in the first place to enjoy the joy of flying without unnecessary risks.