# NTSB CEN11CA154: Powerchute Airwolf 912ULS, N4306P, Alexandria, IN, January 14, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 14, 2011, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Alexandria, IN - Coordinates: 40.263053, -85.676391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2631&lon=-85.6764&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report May 26, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 78195 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11CA154 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/78195/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78195 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA154 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees during an initial climb following an aborted landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR go-around: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the powered parachute stated that he performed several touch-and-go landings at the departure airport. He then flew to his house where he attempted a landing on a 600-foot-long flat grass strip. During the landing attempt, the pilot was focused on the touchdown point and, when he looked up he noticed that the powered parachute veered off the right side of the grass strip. He added full engine power and attempted an aborted landing. During the initial climb, the powered parachute struck the tree tops. The pilot stated that the powered parachute can take off and land in about 50 feet and that he had not previously attempted a landing at his residence. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the powered parachute stated that he performed several touch and go landings at the departure airport. He then flew to his house where he attempted a landing on a 600 foot long and flat grass strip. During the landing attempt, the pilot was "focused" on the touchdown point and when he looked up, he noticed that the powered parachute veered off the right side of the grass strip. He added full engine power and attempted an aborted landing. During the initial climb, the powered parachute struck the tree tops. The powered parachute frame was bent. The pilot sustained a serious injury due to a fractured ankle. The pilot stated that the powered parachute can take off and land in about 50 feet and that he had not previously attempted a landing at his residence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4306P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4306P), registered now, S/N A146ULS, built 2010 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Powerchute LLC Airwolf 912ULS - Registry model: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS](https://openairdocs.org/model/powrachute-airwolf-912uls) (registry code 0690004) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: A146ULS - Engines: Rotax 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Pilot - Registered owner: Pilot - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: Alexandria, IN - Destination: PVT, Alexandria, IN - Airport: PVT, Private, runway 27, 600 × ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: serious; recreational, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; seat: center; flight hours: 20 total, 20 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 18 °F - Altimeter: 30.23 inHg - Observed at: AID ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110114000299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110114000299A), Jan 14, 2011: Powrachute AIRWOLF 912, Alexandria, IN, Minor damage. The pilot departed from the Alexandria airport in Indiana. After flying for approximately two hours he flew over his residence to survey the area for future… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 23, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=78195. 814 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 814 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40343993&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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.