# NTSB CEN23LA272: Six Chuter SR7 XL, N6365A, Chetek, WI, July 2, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 1, 2023, 20:00 local (Jul 2, 2023, 01:00 UTC) - Place: Chetek, WI - Coordinates: 45.306488, -91.636823 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3065&lon=-91.6368&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) - 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 - NTSB case key (mKey): 192502 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA272 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192502/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192502 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA272 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during initial climb which resulted in an impact with a pole, trees, and terrain. ## 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: [Six Chuter SR7 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901RL), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: pole](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Six Chuter SR7 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md?model=05901RL), [All aircraft, 142 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Six Chuter SR7 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05901RL), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470) (defining event); cases with it: [Six Chuter SR7 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901RL), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that after he had performed a preflight inspection of the powered parachute and allowed the engine to warm up, he moved the powered parachute into position for takeoff. Prior to takeoff, he applied full engine power and watched the canopy rise and then reduced engine power and checked the canopy lines. He applied full engine power for takeoff, and the powered parachute lifted with no issues. However, when he looked down, the powered parachute was not climbing and headed toward trees. The pilot attempted to adjust the flight path to avoid the trees, but the powered parachute impacted a pole, the trees, and then descended into the ground. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage to the frame. The pilot stated there was no mechanical anomalies with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6365A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6365A), registered now, S/N SC1999CS, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIX CHUTER SR7 XL - Registry model: [Six Chuter SR7 XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/six-chuter-sr7-xl) (registry code 05901RL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: SC1999CS - Year built: 1999 - Airframe hours: 287.7 - Engines: Rotax 582/90 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 26, 2023, 287.7 hours before - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: Y23, Chetek Municipal/Southworth Airport, runway 35, 3,401 × 60 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: serious; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 2, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 177 total, 28 in this make and model, 150 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: Y23, 0.5 nm away ## 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 20230701010989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230701010989A), Jul 1, 2023: Six Chuter SR7 XL, Chetek, WI, Substantial damage. The powered parachute started its take-off roll from mid-field pilot applied full power to the aircraft the right side did not inflate immediatly, the pilot… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 9, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192502. 2.6 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15986973&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20Master_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot statement (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 170 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16190754&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20Statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 280 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15986491&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo-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. --- 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.