Second Hang-Glider Crash at Fort Funston Leaves Pilot Injured, Rescued from Beach

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, a hang‑glider pilot was pulled from a beach between Fort Funston and Sloat Avenue in southwestern San Francisco and rushed to a local trauma center. The incident marked the second crash in the area in just two days.

The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) posted on social media that the pilot was taken to a trauma center after being rescued from the beach around 3 p.m. The pilot’s identity and condition were not released. The crash occurred at a site about five miles north of Mussel Rock in Daly City, where a paraglider had crashed into the face of a cliff at 6:50 p.m. on Friday.

North County Fire Authority (NCFA) was the first to respond to the Friday incident. Firefighters rescued a 59‑year‑old pilot from a point roughly 400 feet from the top of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The pilot was transported to a medical facility for treatment.

Fort Funston, part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is a popular launch site for hang‑gliders and paragliders because updrafts over the coastal bluffs provide lift. The area includes a hang‑glider viewing platform and is known for its steep sandstone cliffs and ocean‑side beach.

Wind reports from the day of the Saturday crash show westerly winds at 17 mph with gusts up to 24 mph. These conditions are typical for the region and can create strong updrafts that attract air‑sport pilots.

The area has a history of accidents. In May 2015, a 51‑year‑old man from San Bruno died when his paraglider crashed into an ocean‑side cliff in Daly City. The 2015 incident was the most recent fatality in the region before the current crashes.

Both incidents highlight the risks associated with air‑sports in the coastal bluffs of San Francisco and Daly City. While the SFFD and NCFA responded quickly, the injuries sustained by the pilots underscore the need for ongoing safety measures.

The SFFD has not issued any statements about changes to safety protocols or restrictions on hang‑gliding activities at Fort Funston. The NCFA has also not announced any new regulations. Investigations into the causes of the crashes are underway.

The pilot from the Saturday crash is currently receiving treatment at a trauma center. The SFFD has not released additional details about the pilot’s condition. The NCFA’s rescue of the Friday pilot was completed without incident.

Both incidents occurred in the same geographic corridor that is frequented by air‑sport enthusiasts. The proximity of the crashes—only two days apart—has prompted local authorities to review safety procedures, although no immediate changes have been announced.

At present, the situation remains under investigation. The SFFD and NCFA are coordinating with local medical facilities and are monitoring the pilots’ conditions. No further incidents have been reported as of the time of this writing.

The incidents serve as a reminder of the inherent dangers of hang‑gliding and paragliding in coastal environments. While the area remains a popular destination for air‑sport pilots, the recent crashes may lead to increased scrutiny of safety practices in the region.