# Incident 20230920016349I: Airwolf  912uls 912ULS, Erie, CO, September 20, 2023

- Type: FAA incident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: September 20, 2023, 10:25 local time
- Place: Erie, CO
- Airport: Parkland
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: Ground/Ramp/Ma
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 40.0715° N, 105.0280° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0715&lon=-105.0280&mi=10
- Aircraft: N820PP, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N820PP) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS (registry code 0690004, https://openairdocs.org/model/powrachute-airwolf-912uls) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Rotax 912ULS series (registry code 55572, https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AIRWOLF  912ULS 912ULS
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 1
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Sport pilot, student
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB CEN23LA413](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA413) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230920016349I

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

AT THE FUEL FARM, PILOT STARTED THE ENGINE AND WAS WALIKNG AROUND AIRCRAFT INSPECTING IT, WITH THE PARACHUTE STOWED. ON THE RIGHT SIDE HE PUT HIS LEFT LEG AND BODY IN THE AIRCRAFT. WITH HIS RIGHT LEG STILL OUT ON THE GROUND, HE BUMPED THE THROTLE AND VEHICLE RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. IT WENT ABOUT 1/3 MILE ON THE GRASS NEXT TO THE RUNWAY AT HIGH SPEED. THE FRONT WHEEL WENT IN A HOLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CARTWHEEL, EJECTING THE PILOT. A NEIGHBOR AT THE AIRPARK CALLED 911. PILOT WAS FOUND UNCONSCIOUS AND LATER DIED AT THE HOSPITAL. PILOTS HELMET AND HEADSET WERE FOUND IN HIS PICKUP TRUCK AT THE FUEL FARM. IT IS UNKNOWN WHETHER THE PILOT HAD A MEDICAL EVENT WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO HIM BUMPING THE THROTTLE AND NOT IMMEDIATLY TURNING THE KEY OFF. THE ABOVE FACTS WERE OBTAINED FROM A SECURITY VIDEO AT THE FUEL FARM.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB CEN23LA413](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA413), Sep 20, 2023: Powrachute Airwolf (N820PP), Erie, CO, incident, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadvertent manipulation of the throttle, which resulted in the aircraft traveling on the ground and the unsecured pilot being ejected from the aircraft and sustaining fatal injuries.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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