Paramotor crash pilot was highly experienced, inquest told
ALIGHT aircraft spiralled out of control and plummeted to the ground in a horrific crash, killing the “highly experienced” pilot, an inquest heard.
Andrew Walkden, from Scarisbrick, was at the controls of the paramotor in the skies above Southport when tragedy suddenly struck.
Witnesses said they watched the aircraft “spinning” before going on a “rapid descent” in a 100ft fall to the ground where it burst into flames.
The charred remains of the paramotor were found near the coastal road in Southport, on land adjacent to Royal Birkdale Golf Club.
Mark Shaw, an expert from the British Handgliding Association, was involved in the investigation into the crash at 7pm on April 11, 2019.
He told Bootle Town Hall that Mr Walkden, 54, was highly experienced, having been trained in 2006 and had become an instructor and owner of a flying school, as well as taking part in competitions in the UK and Europe.
One colleague, who had been on four previous flights with him, said the selfemployed builder’s “skill and precision was evident,” Mr Shaw said.
Mr Walkden, the inquest heard, was airborne 20 minutes before the accident and was flying with “no discernible issues.”
Witnesses who provided statements to the investigation told of seeing the light aircraft spinning, while others recalled it “plummeting straight down.”
There were different recollections about if the paramotor was in flames before it hit the ground.
On impact, the aircraft burst into a blaze and granddad-of-four Mr Walkden was killed instantly.
The inquest heard it was difficult to determine if the tragedy had been caused by a mechanical defect, a maintenance problem or human error.
Coroner Julie Goulding said the cause of death was multiple injuries and recorded a conclusion of accidental death.
She added: “Witnesses described the paramotor descending rapidly and being unable to approach due to the ferocity of the fire which was extinguished by the fire service.”
In tributes after the tragedy, his devastated family described Mr
Walkden, who had 15 years’ flying experience, as a free spirit with a daredevil streak who died doing what he loved.
Daughter Kayleigh Worthington said at the time: “He was a very positive person, a free spirit who enjoyed life. I’m going to miss him.”
She added: “He liked the flying as he was in the sky, like a bird. He would go out every day if it was nice.”
The last time any of his family saw Andy alive was when he dropped off a plate of roast chicken for his mum, Barbara.
Meanwhile the last time Kayleigh saw her dad was her son’s birthday when he dropped off a card and her brother, Aaron, had seen him the morning he died.
After his death, Kayleigh was sent a picture of her dad flying and silhouetted by the sunset minutes, perhaps even seconds before the horrific accident
In the picture, time-stamped at 6.59pm, he appeared to be completely fine with no signs of any problems – but just moments later the first reports of a crash came in.
When he wasn’t flying, Mr Walkden also did motorcross, rode road bikes and super bikes, cycled and had taken up ice hockey.
A paramotor is a motorised, steerable parachute that is powered by a motor and a propeller that is strapped to the pilot’s back.
Unlike a micro-light aircraft, a paramotor does not require a licence or any formal pilot training.
The paramotor aircraft or its pilot also do not need insurance or to be registered.