A TWO-TIME hand-gliding champion has died after a catastrophic paragliding crash in Brazil.
Philip Haegler, 59, was seconds from safe landing when disaster struck.
The veteran flyer took off just after midday yesterday.
His route was routine – soaring from Pedra da Gávea and descending toward the São Conrado shoreline in Rio de Janeiro.
But as he came in low, only meters from touching down, he collided with another paraglider mid-air.
The impact left him spiralling out of control.
Witnesses say he veered violently and lammed straight into a high-rise building.
The force knocked him unconscious instantly.
Still limp in his harness, Phillip fell from the height of the 11th floor.
Emergency crews raced to the scene.
Firefighters managed to pull him from the wreckage while he was still alive.
He was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
But despite frantic efforts, he died shortly after arriving.
Philip was one of Brazil’s most respected free-flight athletes.
He won national hang-gliding titles in 1990 and 1992.
He also served as president of the Brazilian Free Flight Confederation, shaping the sport for years.
Philip was due to celebrate his birthday tomorrow as he was turning 60.
His death has stunned the free-flight community – especially because Philip had already lived through one tragic loss.
He was close friends with Brazilian free-flight legend Pedro Paulo “Pepê” Guise Carneiro Lopes.
The pair were in Japan together in 1991 when Pepê was killed in a hang-gliding crash during severe weather.
Philip later spoke about the impact of losing him.
“He was more than a friend. Pepê was my idol, sponsor, brother, father, partner and mentor,” he said.
“I suffered terribly after his death. I went at least 12 years without flying.”
Tributes have poured in from Brazil’s flying community.
Bruno Menescal, vice-president of the São Conrado Free Flight Club, called Philip an essential figure in the sport.
He said Phil was an “undisputed reference in promoting safety and developing the sport”.
He added: “We’re gathering footage to understand exactly what happened. He was very loved, extremely experienced, and sadly, this happened.”
Philip leaves behind his wife, Letícia Monteiro de Carvalho, and their four children.
The São Conrado Free Flight Club released an emotional tribute.
“His passion was contagious and inspired many. What he loved most was flying.
“Rest in peace, dear Phil, you will forever be in our hearts.”
Hang-gliding and paragliding may appear similar, but the equipment is drastically different.
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Hang-gliding uses a rigid, triangular frame steered by shifting body weight.
Paragliding relies on a soft fabric wing, with the pilot seated in a harness and guiding the flight using hand-held lines.