Pilot Debrief

Southern Powered Parachute Condor near Rogersville, MO — 2011-12-25

Final reportCEN12LA114
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Date
2011-12-25
Location
Rogersville, MO, USA
Aircraft
Southern Powered Parachute Condor
Registration
UNREG
Category
Powered parachute
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the takeoff area, which resulted in a loss of control due to the binding of the parachute's lines.

NTSB narrative

The unlicensed pilot reported that he performed a preflight inspection of the powered parachute before taking off from the grass airstrip in a hayfield. During the takeoff climb, the powered parachute entered a hard left turn. The pilot noticed that 2 to 4 of the lines attached to the leading and trailing edges of the parachute were stuck together. He pumped the left pedal, the lines came apart, and the powered parachute started to fly straight ahead. However, the powered parachute was nearing trees, and the pilot was unable to avoid a collision. After hitting a tree, the powered parachute descended uncontrolled and impacted the ground. The pilot reported that the lines were likely stuck together by straw from the hayfield that he was using as a takeoff area.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff when lines got stuck instead of continuing.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 4 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents4

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