Hanging under a massive pair of wings is safer than it may seem, but it's not completely free from risk. An avid hang glider has fallen 656 feet to his death after a glider malfunction in Brazil.
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It wasn't long after takeoff that the accident occurred. Shortly after launching his hang glider from a mountain known as Serra de Rocinha in Timbé do Sul, Santa Catarina, there appeared to be something wrong.
The hang glider drifted to the left for around 20 seconds before veering sharply to the right. At this point, the wings of the hang glider folded, with the grandfather hanging underneath it, plunging more than 600 feet to the forest below.
Ricardo Stecanella, 52, was left injured and stranded in the forest. Areopolice conducted a search for the man, eventually locating him, unable to move. He was then recovered by helicopter, and airlifted to a local hospital.
However, it was too late for the man, and he died from the injuries sustained from his hang glider accident.
Family Mourns Avid Hang Glider
Ricardo Stecanella was no novice when it came to hang gliding. He had been a huge fan of the sport for many years and spoke about it with love. "Flying like birds, nothing is more satisfying," he recently posted beside a video of him soaring through the sky.
His wife also posted a touching tribute to him, noting his love for hang gliding. "You, even up there, will always be my flying partner," she said.
The hang glider club he was a member of also paid tribute to the man killed doing what he loved. "'It is difficult to find words to express our feelings at this moment of sadness and pain,' they said. 'We extend our solidarity to his family and friends. We hope that we all find support in the legacy that Ricardo left us, in the hugs and words that will help us move forward. Ricardo, fly to eternity."
It is tragic to lose a life, but at least Ricardo went out doing something he loved. He has left behind a wife, a son, and a grandson.
