# NTSB CEN10CA229: Thomas Long Long's Paraglider, Amarillo, TX, April 25, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: April 25, 2010, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Amarillo, TX
- Coordinates: 35.285831, -101.703887 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2858&lon=-101.7039&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report October 21, 2010
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 75874
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA229
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75874/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75874
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA229

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the powered parachute, resulting in an unintentional departure and subsequent collision with power lines and the ground.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The non-licensed pilot and passenger were taxiing across the pilot’s yard when the unregistered powered parachute unintentionally became airborne. The pilot attempted to land in his front yard, but was unsuccessful. Moments later the parachute came in contact with a static power line and the fuselage impacted the ground. The pilot and passenger were able to exit unassisted. The pilot reported that the parachute experienced no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

The non-licensed pilot and passenger were taxiing across the pilot’s yard when the unregistered powered parachute unintentionally became airborne. The pilot attempted to land in his front yard, but was unsuccessful. Moments later the parachute came in contact with a static power line and the fuselage impacted the ground. The pilot and passenger were able to exit unassisted. The pilot reported that the parachute experienced no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Thomas Long Long's Paraglider
- Category: Powered parachute, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1002
- Airframe hours: 20
- Engines: Rotax 503 52 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Unknown
- Last inspection: Condition, April 25, 2010
- Departed: Amarillo, TX
- Destination: Amarillo, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; injuries: minor; seat: front; flight hours: 120 total, 120 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °F

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 23, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75874. 118 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 118 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40333074&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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.

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