News Release

Paraglider crash lands in the trees at Wright Brothers National Memorial

Date: June 4, 2019
Contact: Mike Barber, 252-475-9032

Today, at approximately 5:00 p.m, a paraglider that launched from Wright Brothers National Memorial's First Flight Airport landed in the trees.

The pilot from Kitty Hawk N.C. attempted to land on the airstrip at Wright Brothers yet he reported that turbulence caused him to land in tall pine trees along Colington Avenue. The parachute - part of the paragliding equipment - caught the trees and left him suspended approximately 70 feet off the ground.

Kill Devil Hills Police, Kill Devil Hills Fire Department, North Carolina Highway Patrol, Dare County Sheriff officers, Dare County EMS, and National Park Service Rangers responded and assisted with the rescue. The Kill Devil Hills Fire Department's ladder truck and their firefighters were instrumental in performing the successful rescue.  

The pilot suffered minor scrapes and did not seek medical care at the scene of the incident.  The paraglider equipment was damaged and the parachute remains stuck in the trees. Wright Brothers National Memorial staff will contact the pilot to coordinate removal of the parachute.