UK CAA Orders David Soos Paramotor Injury Compensation After Reckless Incident

• David Soos, 64, was ordered to pay £8,000 compensation after his reckless paramotor operation severely injured a passer-by in September 2024.
• The victim, in his early 40s, suffered multiple fractures to his leg and ankle, requiring surgical reconstruction.
• Soos pleaded guilty to endangering a person following an investigation led by the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
• Although paramotor pilots do not require a specific license, they must adhere to "rules of the air" regarding safe distances and operating areas.
• The CAA emphasized its commitment to aviation safety and its willingness to take enforcement action against breaches of regulations.

Lawyers advising general aviation clients, particularly those operating paramotors, should note the UK CAA's willingness to prosecute reckless operation under 'rules of the air,' leading to significant compensation orders, despite the absence of specific pilot licensing requirements for such devices.

A paramotor pilot, David Soos, 64, from Goole, North Humberside, has been ordered to pay substantial compensation following a reckless operation incident that severely injured a passer-by. The event transpired on September 16, 2024, in a farmer’s field located in Reedness. Soos was operating a paramotor trike, a propeller-driven device capable of flight, when the incident occurred, leading to a significant injury for a man who was simply taking his regular bi-weekly walk through the fields.

The victim, a man in his early 40s, sustained severe fractures to his tibia, fibula, and ankle. Medical professionals were required to rebuild his ankle using a surgical plate and thirteen screws, highlighting the gravity of the injuries. According to testimony presented in court by Deborah Baljit, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) prosecutor, Soos was in the process of preparing the paramotor for flight when it unexpectedly began moving rapidly towards the unsuspecting victim, who was unable to evade the oncoming device. Soos promptly offered assistance, transporting the injured individual to the hospital.

The incident prompted an investigation led by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, culminating in Soos pleading guilty to the serious offence of endangering a person. Despite the fact that individuals operating paramotors or powered hang gliders are not mandated to possess a specific pilot licence or any form of airworthiness certification, they are unequivocally required to adhere to the established "rules of the air." These critical aviation safety regulations UK guidelines include maintaining minimum heights and distances from both people and property, ensuring take-offs and landings occur well clear of congested areas, and strictly avoiding operation within controlled airspace.

To assist paramotor enthusiasts in understanding these requirements, the UK Civil Aviation Authority, in collaboration with the paramotoring community, published The Paramotor Code. This comprehensive guide outlines best practices and legal obligations for safe operation. The prosecution, spearheaded by the CAA, underscores the authority's commitment to enforcing these rules, even in the absence of formal pilot licensing, particularly when reckless paramotor operation leads to harm. On September 25, 2026, Hull Magistrates’ Court ordered David Soos to pay £8,000 in compensation to the victim, a direct consequence of the "endangering a person offence UK" conviction.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the potentially severe consequences arising from operating paramotors in a negligent or reckless manner, even for devices that do not require traditional pilot certification. Michael Macdonald, who serves as the Head of International Safety and General Aviation at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, emphasized that the CAA is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of aviation safety. He affirmed the authority's resolve to initiate enforcement action whenever alleged breaches of aviation regulations result in risk or actual harm to others.

Macdonald further articulated that through such prosecutions, the CAA effectively safeguards the public and reinforces confidence in the stringent aviation safety standards established across the UK. The significant compensation order from Hull Magistrates Court paramotor case, alongside the conviction for endangering a person, sends a clear message regarding accountability. Lawyers advising general aviation clients, particularly those operating paramotors, should note the UK CAA's willingness to prosecute reckless operation under 'rules of the air,' leading to significant compensation orders, despite the absence of specific pilot licensing requirements for such devices. This outcome highlights the UK Civil Aviation Authority enforcement powers and its commitment to ensuring public safety.

Lawyers advising general aviation clients, particularly those operating paramotors, should note the UK CAA's willingness to prosecute reckless operation under 'rules of the air,' leading to significant compensation orders, despite the absence of specific pilot licensing requirements for such devices.

Source: Original reporting via UK Civil Aviation Authority