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Disclaimer: By submitting the form above and checking the consent box, you agree to our conditions and privacy policy and permit Ethen Ostroff Law to contact you via text messages, phone calls. Standard message rates may apply.


Hang gliding is an exhilarating adventure sport that offers the thrill of soaring through the sky. However, in the event of an accident, the consequences can be devastating. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a hang gliding accident, it is important that you understand your legal rights and take the necessary steps to make a claim. At Ethen Ostroff Law, we specialize in hang gliding accident lawsuits and are dedicated to helping injured individuals recover and obtain the justice they deserve. Here, we outline the key aspects of hang gliding accident lawsuit providing valuable information and guidance to protect your rights and get fair compensation.

Popularity of Hang Gliding

Hang Gliding Accident Lawsuit

Hang gliding has gained significant popularity in the United States as an exhilarating and adventurous recreational activity. The sport attracts a diverse community of thrill-seekers, outdoor enthusiasts, and aviation enthusiasts. The factors contributing to the popularity of hang gliding in the US include:

  • Accessibility: Hang gliding is accessible to a wide range of individuals through training facilities, flight parks, and clubs across the country.
  • Scenic Locations: The US offers diverse landscapes for hang gliding, including coastal regions, mountains, and plains, creating stunning backdrops.
  • Sense of Freedom: Hang gliding provides a liberating experience, allowing enthusiasts to glide through the air using natural currents.
  • Community and Camaraderie: Hang gliding has a supportive community where pilots connect, share experiences, and participate in events and competitions.
  • Technological Advancements: Hang gliding equipment has advanced, enhancing safety, performance, and ease of use.
  • Social Media and Online Resources: Enthusiasts connect, share, and access information through social media and online communities.
  • Thrill and Adrenaline Rush: Hang gliding offers an exhilarating rush, combining the thrill of launching, soaring, and maneuvering the glider.

Top Hang Gliding Sites in the US

  • Lookout Mountain Flight Park (Georgia/Tennessee)
  • Kitty Hawk Kites (North Carolina)
  • Torrey Pines Gliderport (California)
  • Point of the Mountain (Utah)
  • Fort Funston (California)
  • Jockey’s Ridge State Park (North Carolina)
  • Dunlap (California)
  • Dockweiler State Beach (California)
  • Wallaby Ranch (Florida)
  • Soboba Flight Park (California)

Top Hang Gliding Companies in the US

  • Kitty Hawk Kites (North Carolina)
  • Lookout Mountain Flight Park (Tennessee)
  • Torrey Pines Gliderport (La Jolla, California)
  • Wallaby Ranch (Florida)
  • Cloud 9 Hang Gliding (Utah)
  • Oregon Hang Gliding School (Oregon)
  • Lookout Mountain Hang Gliding (Georgia)

Hang Gliding Accidents in the United States

Hang gliding accidents, while relatively rare, do occur in the United States. The United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association reports that there are approximately 4,000 active hang glider pilots in the country. While the sport continues to grow in popularity, the number of accidents remains relatively low compared to other recreational activities.

Types of Hang Gliding Accidents

Hang gliding accidents can occur due to various factors and circumstances. Here are some types of hang gliding accidents that can occur:

  • Launching Accidents: Happen during the initial phase of the flight when the pilot takes off. They can result from improper technique, inadequate wind conditions, or equipment failure, leading to loss of control or collisions with obstacles.
  • Landing Accidents: Occur when the pilot attempts to land the hang glider. Factors such as misjudging the approach, strong crosswinds, or uneven terrain can contribute to accidents during the landing phase.
  • Mid-Air Collisions: Involve two or more hang gliders colliding while in flight. These accidents can occur due to pilot error, failure to maintain proper separation or miscommunication between pilots.
  • Structural Failures: Can happen when the hang glider’s components, such as the frame, cables, or harness, fail under stress. This can lead to loss of control, resulting in accidents.
  • Wing Collapse: Occurs when the wing of the hang glider collapses or folds, reducing lift and control. It can be caused by turbulent air conditions, sudden changes in wind direction, or pilot error.
  • Wire Strikes: Happen when the hang glider comes into contact with power lines or other types of wires. This can occur during launching, landing, or while flying at low altitudes near populated areas.
  • Weather-Related Accidents: Hang gliding accidents can also be caused by adverse weather conditions, such as strong winds, thunderstorms, or sudden changes in weather patterns. Pilots need to be aware of and properly prepared for the weather conditions before flying.
  • Equipment Malfunction: Equipment malfunctions, such as failures in the harness, control system, or parachute, can contribute to accidents during hang gliding flights.

Common Causes of Hang Gliding Accidents

Hang gliding accidents can happen due to a variety of factors, such as:

  • Pilot Error: Mistakes made by the pilot during launching, landing, or maneuvering the hang glider can lead to accidents.
  • Weather Conditions: Inclement weather, such as strong winds or sudden changes in weather patterns, can increase the risk of accidents.
  • Inadequate Instruction: Insufficient training and instruction can contribute to accidents, particularly for inexperienced pilots.
  • Negligence of Others: Accidents can occur when instructors, equipment manufacturers, or maintenance personnel act negligently.
  • Equipment Issues: Defects or failures in hang gliding equipment, including the frame, cables, or safety harness, can lead to accidents.
  • Environmental Factors: High winds or thermal turbulence can impact the stability and control of the hang glider.

Types of Hang Gliding Injuries

Hang gliding can expose participants to certain risks, and injuries can occur in various forms. Here are some common types of injuries associated with hang gliding:

  • Fractures: Fractures are a common injury in hang gliding accidents, particularly in the extremities. 
  • Sprains and Strains: Hang gliding puts stress on the body, and sudden movements or landings can result in sprained or strained ligaments, tendons, and muscles, causing pain, swelling, and limited mobility.
  • Contusions and Bruises: Impacts with the ground, objects, or other participants can cause contusions (deep bruises) and superficial bruising. These injuries may result from crashes or mid-air collisions.
  • Head Injuries: Head injuries can occur if a hang glider crashes or collides with an object. They range from minor concussions to more severe traumatic brain injuries.
  • Back and Spinal Injuries: The impact of a crash can place strain on the back and spine, potentially leading to sprains, strains, herniated discs, or even spinal cord injuries. These injuries can have long-lasting effects on mobility and overall function.
  • Shoulder and Rotator Cuff Injuries: The shoulders and rotator cuffs can sustain injuries due to the stress placed on them during hang gliding maneuvers, particularly during rough landings or abrupt movements.
  • Soft Tissue Injuries: Hang gliding accidents can cause damage to soft tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and muscles. These injuries can result in pain, swelling, and limited range of motion.
  • Internal Injuries: In more severe accidents, hang gliders may experience internal injuries to organs or internal bleeding, requiring immediate medical attention.

Essential Hang Gliding Safety Tips

  • Receive certified training to acquire the necessary skills for safe hang gliding.
  • Ensure your hang gliding equipment is of high quality and regularly maintained.
  • Always assess the weather forecast and current conditions before flying.
  • Verify the integrity of your hang glider through a pre-flight inspection.
  • Respect your abilities and avoid attempting maneuvers beyond your capabilities.
  • Maintain situational awareness and avoid distractions while flying.
  • Adhere to the established rules and protocols specific to your flying location.
  • Be prepared for emergencies by knowing and practicing emergency procedures.
  • Whenever possible, have an experienced spotter accompany you during your flight.
  • Maintain good health and fitness to meet the physical demands of hang gliding.

Hang Gliding Safety Regulations and Guidelines in Pennsylvania

Hang gliding laws in Pennsylvania ensure the safety of participants and regulate the activity to minimize risks. Here are some key aspects of hang gliding laws in Pennsylvania:

  • Licensing and Certification: While Pennsylvania doesn’t require specific hang gliding licenses or certifications, proper training is strongly recommended for safety.
  • Access to Flying Sites: Follow the rules and regulations set by landowners or governing bodies of flying sites, including obtaining necessary permits or memberships.
  • Airspace Regulations: Comply with FAA regulations, such as avoiding restricted airspace, respecting altitude limitations, and observing Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs).
  • Weather Conditions: Fly in safe weather conditions and avoid adverse weather like strong winds, storms, or turbulence.  
  • Equipment Requirements: Use well-maintained, airworthy equipment that meets safety standards, including hang gliders, harnesses, and other necessary gear.
  • Liability and Waivers: Hang gliding operators may require participants to sign liability waivers, acknowledging the inherent risks involved in the sport.
  • Reporting Accidents: Report significant hang gliding accidents causing injury or property damage to appropriate authorities and agencies to improve safety practices and data collection.

Liability in Hang Gliding Accidents

Identifying the party responsible for a hang gliding accident is essential when pursuing a legal claim. Liability may lie with the:

  • Hang gliding instructor
  • Equipment manufacturer
  • Maintenance provider 
  • A third party whose negligence contributed to the accident

Steps to Take During and After a Hang Gliding Accident

  • Stay Calm and Assess: Remain calm and assess the situation during and after a hang gliding accident.
  • Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize immediate medical attention for any injuries sustained in the accident.
  • Preserve the Scene: If safe, preserve the accident scene by not moving equipment or objects.
  • Gather Information: Collect important details about the accident, including date, time, location, and weather conditions. Take photos or videos of the scene and damages.
  • Report the Accident: Notify the appropriate authorities, such as law enforcement or regulatory agencies, about the hang gliding accident.
  • Contact an Attorney: Consult with an experienced hang gliding accident attorney to understand your legal options.
  • Preserve Evidence: Keep evidence like equipment, photographs, medical records, and witness contact information.
  • Follow Medical Advice: Adhere to medical advice and treatment plans provided by healthcare professionals.
  • Notify Insurance Companies: Inform your insurance company about the accident and cooperate with their investigation.
  • Document Damages: Keep records of expenses related to the accident, such as medical bills and lost wages.
  • Consult Legal Counsel: Seek guidance from your hang gliding accident attorney to understand your rights and determine the best course of action.

Steps in Filing a Hang Gliding Accident Lawsuit

Hang gliding accident lawsuit can arise whenever an individual experiences injuries or damages due to a hang gliding accident. These lawsuits are typically initiated by the injured party or their legal representative to seek compensation for their losses. To pursue a hang gliding accident lawsuit, there are several essential steps involved. These steps include:

  • Seek Immediate Medical Attention and Document Injuries: Ensure your well-being by promptly seeking medical help and documenting your injuries for legal purposes.
  • Conduct Investigation and Gather Evidence: Thoroughly investigate the accident, and gather relevant evidence such as reports, testimonies, and records.
  • Negotiate with Insurance Companies: Let Ethen Ostroff Law handle negotiations with insurance companies to secure fair compensation.
  • File a Lawsuit and Prepare for Trial: If needed, Ethen Ostroff Law will file a lawsuit and diligently prepare for trial, including research and strategizing.
  • Discovery Process: Exchange information and evidence with the opposing party through depositions, interrogatories, and document requests.
  • Settlement Negotiation or Trial: Your attorney will negotiate for a settlement or proceed to trial, presenting your case to a judge or jury.
  • Case Resolution: The case will be resolved through a settlement or court judgment, resulting in compensation for damages.

Compensation Options for Hang Gliding Accident Victims

Consulting with an experienced hang gliding accident lawyer, like those at Ethen Ostroff Law and its partner firms, is crucial to determine the specific compensation options available based on your circumstances. Hang gliding injury compensation options include:

  • Medical Expenses: Victims may cover medical bills, treatment, and rehabilitation costs.
  • Lost Wages: Victims may be eligible for compensation to cover lost wages during their recovery period.
  • Pain and Suffering: Compensation may be available to address the physical and emotional suffering experienced as a result of the hang gliding accident.
  • Disability and Impairment: Those with long-term or permanent disabilities may receive compensation for the impact on their quality of life and earning capacity.
  • Property Damage: Compensation can help repair or replace damaged personal property, such as hang gliding equipment.
  • Wrongful Death: Surviving family members may be eligible for hang gliding accident compensation to cover funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and emotional distress.
  • Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and discourage similar behavior.

Hang Gliding Lawsuits and Accidents in the US

  • In a lawsuit brought by Justine and Johnny Childress, Lookout Mountain Flight Park, Inc. and the Estate of William Edgar Worthey are defendants. The case involves the accidental death of William Worthey, who crashed his hang glider into the plaintiffs’ parked recreational vehicle. Justine Childress has filed a claim for negligent infliction of emotional distress, and Johnny Childress has brought a derivative claim for loss of consortium.
  • Harrison Moorhead, an instructor, and Arys Moorhead, an 11-year-old from Farmington, New Mexico, were killed in a hang gliding crash near Jean, Nevada in March 2015. A subsequent investigation revealed that the instructor did not have the proper permits to be flying in that location, and his business wasn’t licensed in the counties in which it was operating.
  • Scott Howard sued Mission Soaring, a hang gliding company based in Milpitas, CA, after sustaining injuries in a hang gliding crash in 2013. The accident occurred during a tow at Mission Soaring when the release pin of the hang glider Howard was in failed to release, causing him to remain attached to the tow cable. In his lawsuit, filed in May 2015, Howard alleged that Mission Soaring, owner Patrick Denevan, and instructor Harold Johnson owed him a duty of care in equipment maintenance, as well as in the selection, hiring, and supervision of company employees.

Choosing Ethen Ostroff Law

Hang gliding accidents can result in severe injuries and significant financial burdens. By partnering with Ethen Ostroff Law, you can rest assured knowing that you have a dedicated legal team fighting for your rights and seeking fair hang gliding injury compensation on your behalf. 

What are you waiting for? Contact Ethen Ostroff Law now at 610-510-8883 ( by calling this number, you consent to receive SMS updates from Ethen Ostroff Law) or Submit Form to get free consultation. Trust us to navigate the complexities of your hang gliding accident lawsuit, ensuring you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.

His career began in public service as a Surveillance Officer in Maricopa County, where he gained firsthand experience in high-stakes decision-making and developed a deep sense of discipline and accountability. He later served as Chief Operating Officer of a fast-growing law firm, driving efficiency, revenue growth, and team development. Today, Ryan focuses on helping law firms reach their full potential by aligning people, processes, and long-term vision. A strategic thinker and empowering leader, Ryan is passionate about developing others and guiding organizations through meaningful, lasting growth.

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Ethen Ostroff Law, PLLC Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 10/15/2026

Ethen Ostroff Law, PLLC (“EOL,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. If you are reaching out to us after an injury, we know you may be sharing personal details during a hard time. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you visit ethenostrofflaw.com (the “Site”), how we use it, who we share it with, and the choices you have.

This Privacy Policy works together with our Terms of Use. By using the Site, you agree to the practices described here. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

1. A note about confidentiality

Visiting the Site, submitting a form, chatting with us online, or sending us an email does not create an attorney-client relationship. An attorney-client relationship begins only when you and EOL sign a written Retainer Agreement. Until then, information you send us is not protected by attorney-client privilege and is not considered confidential. Please do not send sensitive details about your matter until we have spoken with you.

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When you request a free consultation, fill out a form, use our live chat, call, text, or email us, you may give us:

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We do not send the details you type into our intake forms, contact forms, or live chat, such as information about your injury or legal matter, to Google, Meta, TikTok, Reddit, or any other advertising platform.

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The Site uses cookies, pixels, and similar tools. A cookie is a small file stored in your browser. A pixel is a small piece of code that loads when you visit a page and sends information about your visit to the company that provides it. We use Google Tag Manager to load and manage these tools.

The table below lists the third-party tools on the Site and what we use them for.

ProviderWhat we use it forProvider privacy policy
Google Tag ManagerLoads and manages the other tools listed here. It does not build a profile of you.policies.google.com/privacy
Google AnalyticsUnderstanding how visitors use the Site, such as pages viewed and how they found us.policies.google.com/privacy
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TikTok PixelMeasuring ad performance, showing our ads to past visitors, and reaching similar audiences.tiktok.com/legal/privacy-policy
Reddit PixelMeasuring ad performance, showing our ads to past visitors, and reaching similar audiences.reddit.com/policies/privacy-policy
IntakerPowers the live chat on the Site so you can reach our intake team.intaker.com
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Google reCAPTCHAProtects our forms from spam and automated abuse.policies.google.com/privacy
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These tools may collect the information listed in section 3. If you give us your email address or phone number, a scrambled (hashed) version may be sent to an advertising platform so it can match your visit to an existing account.

Google, Meta, TikTok, and Reddit may combine the information they receive with other data they hold about you and use it under their own privacy policies. You can learn how Google uses information from sites that use its services at  policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.

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10. Residents of certain states

Some state privacy laws, including California’s, may treat sharing information through advertising pixels as a “sale” or “sharing” of personal information, or as targeted advertising. Depending on where you live, you may have the right to know what information we hold about you, to ask us to correct or delete it, and to opt out of its sale or sharing. To make a request, contact us using the information in section 15. We may need to verify your identity before we respond. We will not treat you differently for using these rights.

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We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information. No method of sending or storing data over the internet is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee the security of information you send us.

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We keep your information as long as we need it for the purposes described in this policy, including to meet legal, ethical, and record-keeping obligations.

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The Site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them online. If a parent or guardian is contacting us about a child’s injury, the parent or guardian should submit the inquiry.

14. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy when we add, change, or remove tools on the Site or change how we handle information. We will post the updated version here and change the effective date above.

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If you have questions about this policy or want to make a privacy request, contact us:

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  • Mail: Ethen Ostroff Law, PLLC, 21 E 5th Ave, Suite 102, Conshohocken, PA 19428