Pilot error eyed in paragliding crash

Authorities are looking at pilot error as the initial cause of the accident in a paragliding activity in Oslob town in southern Cebu.

Provincial Tourism Officer Maria Lester Ybañez said that based on the initial report they got, it was not bad weather and there were a lot of them who went paragliding.

But it was the professional paraglider Peter Clifford Humes, 63, who crashed 70 feet from above.

"Cloudy siya pero visible lang gihapon...daghan sila but siya lang ang nakuan (nadisgrasya).Unya naay part of the gear, maoy toy bag-o niya gigamit. Naa siyay bag-ong equipment mora’g naglisod ra siya og maneuver ato kay bag-oan siya," Ybañez said.

Humes was in Oslob for assessment of the sports adventure in Oslob Cebu Paragliding Co.

Such sport operates in the town for two years already but under limitation since it is intended only for experts. Those who have no experience and want to try the adventure must go with a professional.

But after the incident, all the paragliding activity in Oslob was suspended pending the investigation.

Other extreme adventure operators in the province are also urged to review their rules and regulations to ensure safety.