Pilot Debrief

Powrachute PC 2000 near Leadore, ID — 2009-10-25

Final reportWPR10LA032
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Date
2009-10-25
Location
Leadore, ID, USA
Aircraft
Powrachute PC 2000
Registration
N4036U
Category
Powered parachute
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Cruise

Probable cause

The stuck throttle cable and the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed during landing, which resulted in an inadvertent aerodynamic stall and hard landing.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the powered parachute reported that while in cruise flight and after increasing engine power, he discovered that the throttle cables were stuck and inoperable. He then attempted to reduce power, but the power reduction was too slow so he elected to land in an open field.During the landing flare, about 10 to 15 feet above the ground, the airplane's chute stalled, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent substantial damage to the powered parachute. The pilot reported that there were no anomalies with the airframe or engine prior to or during the flight, and he could not determine how the throttle had become inoperative.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked throttle cable functionality before flight.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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