# NTSB CEN21LA179: Destiny Powered Parachutes 2000, Saint Paul, NE, April 4, 2021

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: April 4, 2021, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Saint Paul, NE · Cornfield near Saint Paul, NE.
- Coordinates: 41.215725, -98.405249 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2157&lon=-98.4052&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Lincoln FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 102874
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/102874/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102874
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21LA179

## Probable cause

The uncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the powered parachute during low altitude flight in gusting wind conditions.

## Findings

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

- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: 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 uncertificated pilot reported that while conducting a low altitude flight with a passenger in his two-seat unregistered powered parachute, a storm quickly moved into the area and a gust of wind “caught the parachute” and “pulled the machine down uncontrollably”. The aircraft subsequently impacted the terrain. The aircraft’s frame tubing beneath and forward of the seats sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and the engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Destiny Powered Parachutes 2000 (NO SERIES)
- Category: Powered parachute
- Serial number: Unknown
- Year built: 2003
- Engines: Rotax Aircraft Engines 582 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: None
- Departed: Saint Paul, NE
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; injuries: serious; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 63 total, 63 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 13 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observed at: KGRI, 17 nm away
- METAR: KGRI 050053Z COR 24016G24KT 10SM VCTS BKN090 OVC120 24/07 A2984 RMK AO2 PK WND 21044/0028 LTG DSNT NW-E TSB22E45 SLP102 T02440067 TS N MOV SE

## Docket (4 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 12, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=102874. 39.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 929 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12235600&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120_1%20Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Accident photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 351 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12236004&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Accident%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- Accident sequence video footage (courtesy of the pilot's brother) (item 3, MP4, 37.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12234994&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Accident%20Sequence%20Video%20Footage%20(courtesy%20of%20the%20pilot%27s%20brother)-Rel.mp4
- Law enforcement officer report (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 235 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12235004&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=LEO%20Report%20Redacted-Rel.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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