The Aviation Club of Cuba (CAC) has announced a temporary suspension of all tandem paragliding flights across the nation. This decision follows the tragic death of a 12-year-old boy in Isla de la Juventud, as detailed in a statement shared on their Facebook group.
“In the aftermath of the events on Isla de la Juventud, which resulted in the tragic death of a 12-year-old, and following the investigation's findings, a moratorium on tandem paragliding flights in the country is now in effect,” reads the statement signed by CAC President, René González, a former spy.
Joel Alejandro Suárez Sánchez, aged 12, passed away on July 4 at the MININT beach, in the Cayos Los Monos area. The paraglider he was on was swept out to sea by a wind current caused by a storm cloud that collided with the Sierra de Caballos.
The paraglider unexpectedly ascended to approximately 50 meters and landed about 500 meters from the shore. While attempting to free himself from the harnesses in the water, the pilot lost control of the boy, who disappeared before rescue attempts could be made. His body was found after an extensive search.
A joint investigation by the CAC and the Cuban Civil Aeronautics Institute uncovered serious violations: the flight was part of an unauthorized commercial operation charging 3,000 Cuban pesos per person without approval from the Ministry of Tourism.
Although the pilot had athletic experience, he lacked certification for tandem piloting and authorization for commercial flights.
Required documentation was not completed, nor was valid informed consent obtained from the child's family.
The investigation also highlighted the absence of life jackets, which are mandatory under Cuban Aeronautical Regulations for operations near the coast, and could have potentially saved the child’s life.
Implications of the Suspension
The moratorium does not extend to individual sports flights, which will continue as usual across the country. However, all free-flight activities are suspended on Isla de la Juventud.
The CAC has also announced plans to convene a meeting with the free-flight community to discuss the investigation's findings.
“We will convene a conference with the free-flight community as soon as possible to analyze the factors that emerged from the investigation and collectively find ways to prevent such incidents in Cuba,” the statement signed by González indicates.
The statement also expressed a desire to resume tandem flights "as soon as possible," urging practitioners to propose measures to ensure "a disciplined and safe environment for everyone, whether participants or not."
Controversy Surrounding the Incident
The handling of the accident by CAC President René González has sparked controversy.
González claimed on Facebook that this was "the first fatality for the CAC in 15 years, during which 60,000 tandem parachute jumps have been conducted."
However, this version was publicly challenged by the aeronautical sports community, which documented at least four deaths in Cuban air sports between 2022 and 2023.
Notable incidents include the deaths of Fabián Batista Hidalgo (paragliding, Santiago de Cuba, December 2022), Raidel Cobas (skydiving, Varadero, March 2023), Miladis Ríos Góngora (parachute failure, August 2023), and Edelio Varona Pino (paragliding, Canasí, December 2023).
Understanding the Impact of Tandem Paragliding Suspension in Cuba
What led to the suspension of tandem paragliding flights in Cuba?
The suspension was prompted by the death of a 12-year-old boy in Isla de la Juventud, revealing serious safety violations in an unauthorized commercial tandem paragliding operation.
Are individual paragliding activities affected by the moratorium?
No, individual sports flights will continue as usual across Cuba, except in Isla de la Juventud where all free-flight activities are currently suspended.
What were the main findings of the investigation into the accident?
The investigation exposed unauthorized commercial operations, lack of proper pilot certification, absence of required documentation, and failure to use mandatory safety equipment like life jackets.