AAIA publishes investigation report on accident involving PHI Fantasia 22 paraglider
The Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) today (May 2) published the investigation report (IVR-2025-05) on the investigation into an accident involving a PHI Fantasia 22 paraglider with its pilot perished at Long Ke Wan, Sai Kung, on February 15, 2023.
At 1.45pm that day, the pilot took off from the paragliding take-off area at Biu Tsim Kok in Long Ke and planned to land at the Long Ke Wan beach. At 1.50pm, he was found landing short of the beach and stranded by the paraglider strings in the sea, about 60 metres from the shore. He was rescued and airlifted to the hospital by a helicopter of the Government Flying Service for medical treatment, and was certified dead later.
The investigation concluded that this accident likely occurred because the paraglider landed short of the beach due to head wind, resulting in an emergency water landing and the tragic drowning of the pilot. The investigation team has made three safety recommendations to the Hong Kong China Paragliding Association and the International Paragliding Association. These recommendations are: (1) reminding all Hong Kong paragliding pilots who plan to fly across the waters to be proficient in emergency procedures for unexpected water landings; (2) advising pilots to wear automatically operating lifejackets capable of providing high buoyancy; and (3) emphasising the crucial importance for pilots to formulate an appropriate flight plan and fully assess various changing conditions likely to occur during the flight for risk management purposes.
The investigation was conducted by a team of professional investigators in strict adherence to international standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). "The objective of the investigation was to identify the circumstances and causes of the accident with a view to preventing a recurrence," an AAIA spokesperson said.
Throughout the investigation, all parties concerned were properly consulted on the report. The report is available for downloading on the AAIA webpage (www.tlb.gov.hk/aaia/eng/investigation_reports/index.html).
The AAIA, an independent investigation authority formed under the Transport and Logistics Bureau, is responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and incidents in accordance with the Hong Kong Civil Aviation (Investigation of Accidents) Regulations (Cap. 448B) and with reference to the ICAO standards.
Source: AI-generated images
DH clamps down on illegal cigar smoking in no-smoking areas
The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) carried out surprise inspections in Kwun Tong today (May 30) and issued a total of threefixed penalty notices (FPNs) in an effort to clamp down on illegal cigar smoking in no-smoking areas.
During the operation codenamed "Smokeshield", officers from TACO (including plainclothes officers) carried out inspections and enforcement action at one cigar retail shop in Kwun Tong, and issued a total of three FPNs to persons smoking cigars illegally at the premises. TACO's investigation is ongoing, and prosecution may also be taken against operators of the cigar retail shop who are suspected of aiding and abetting smoking offences.
Under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Ordinance), smoking in a statutory no-smoking area (including indoor areas of shops) is prohibited. Any person who smokes in a statutory no-smoking areas is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000. Venue managers of statutory no-smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender to cease the act. If the offender is not co-operative, the manager of the no-smoking area may contact the Police for assistance.
Moreover, where smoking products (including cigars) are sold, whether in cigar retail shops or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000.
In addition, under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of any offence shall be guilty of the same offence.
"From January 2025 to date, the DH has conducted over 42 inspections of cigar shops regarding illegal smoking activities, and issued a total of eight FPNs for illegal smoking in these premises. The DH will continue to closely monitor and rigorously enforce the law against smoking in no-smoking areas, as well as the illegal sale and promotion of smoking products," said the Head of TACO, Dr Manny Lam.
He cautioned that cigar smoking is just as harmful to health as other smoking products, and urged smokers to quit as early as possible for their own health and that of their family and friends. In support of the World Health Organization's World No Tobacco Day on May 31 each year, the DH is launching the 'Quit in June' campaign. Free one-week smoking cessation drug trial packs are being distributed at over 300 community pharmacies, smoking cessation clinics, District Health Centres (DHCs)/DHC Expresses and DH clinics, while free Chinese medicine ear points patches are available at over 200 designated Chinese medicine clinics to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms. The DH has collaborated with the School of Nursing of the University of Hong Kong to launch a pilot AI-assisted smoking cessation counselling service - "Chat to Quit" this year. The AI provides accurate and appropriate smoking cessation information instantly, and offers personalised smoking cessation counselling according to users' smoking history and quitting preferences. It can also provide emotional support.
The DH also operates an integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline (1833 183) to answer enquiries about smoking cessation, and provide professional counselling and referral services. Members of the public can visit the smoking cessation thematic website (www.livetobaccofree.hk) for more information on smoking cessation and related support tools and services. They can also download the "Quit Smoking App" to keep track of their quitting progress and obtain tips on fighting cravings to maintain a tobacco-free life.
Source: AI-found images
DH clamps down on illegal cigar smoking in no-smoking areas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
DH clamps down on illegal cigar smoking in no-smoking areas Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Source: AI-found images
