# NTSB CEN23LA413: Powrachute Airwolf, N820PP, Erie, CO, September 20, 2023

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · Fatal · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 20, 2023, 09:10 local (15:10 UTC)
- Place: Erie, CO · Came to rest on a grass field at the airport.
- Coordinates: 40.071509, -105.02805 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0715&lon=-105.0280&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 2025
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA Denver FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193108
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA413
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193108/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193108
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA413

## 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.

## 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: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: task monitoring/vigilance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 330 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021520/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Engine controls: power lever](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 95 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057603/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md)
- [Taxi: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Taxi: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis

Security camera video footage showed the pilot fuel the powered parachute and then start the engine. The pilot then attempted to enter the right side of the aircraft and inadvertently sat on the throttle control, bending it into the “full throttle” position. The pilot was never strapped into the seat with the four-point restraint system and the aircraft departed across the airport. The aircraft entered a grass field, impacted terrain, cartwheeled, and the pilot was ejected. The aircraft came to rest upright, with a nose-high attitude, in the grass field. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, with substantial damage to the airframe tubing. Postaccident examination confirmed flight and engine control continuity. The bent throttle control was found in the “full throttle” position, intact and connected to the airframe. The two four-point restraint systems for the aircraft were found in a stowed and secured (latched closed) position. The ignition key was found inserted, and it was found at the “on” position. The wing was found folded up and not in a deployed configuration. There were no mechanical issues noted with the airframe or the engine during the onsite examination. Tramadol, a prescription opioid pain medication and a federal Schedule IV-controlled substance, is available in the United States only as a medication taken by mouth. It is unlikely that the pilot received tramadol as part of his postincident care as he was intubated and not able to swallow. The effects of tramadol and potential impairment for the pilot could not be determined based on the medical information available. It is likely that etomidate and fentanyl was given as part of the pilot’s postincident medical care and did not affect his performance at the time of the incident. The autopsy’s description of a small white metal medical device located in the pilot’s ventricle on autopsy is consistent with a leadless pacemaker. The pilot had a cardiac condition that may have increased his risk for an adverse cardiac event such as an arrhythmia. There is no autopsy evidence that such an event occurred. However, such an event does not leave reliable autopsy evidence if it occurs immediately before death. Having a pacemaker would have mitigated the risk to some degree. The pilot inadvertently sat on the throttle control inadvertently while the engine was operating. The throttle was moved to the “full throttle” position by the pilot’s body and the aircraft traveled across the airport on the ground. The pilot was likely warming up the engine; however, he was likely not intending to fly based upon the available evidence.

## Factual narrative

On September 20, 2023, about 0910 mountain daylight time, a Powrachute LLC Airwolf 912ULS powered parachute, N820PP, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an incident at the Parkland Airport (7CO0), near Erie, Colorado. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Although the aircraft was substantially damaged and the pilot fatally injured, the event was not determined to have been an accident because the pilot likely did not intend to fly the aircraft at the time of the incident. Security camera video footage showed that the aircraft was stationed near the airport’s fuel farm. The video footage showed the pilot fuel the aircraft and then start the engine. The pilot then attempted to enter the right side of the aircraft and inadvertently sat on the throttle control. The throttle control was then bent in the “full throttle” position. The pilot was never strapped into the seat with the four-point restraint system and the aircraft departed across the airport. The aircraft entered a grass field, impacted terrain, cartwheeled, and the pilot was then ejected. The aircraft came to rest upright, with a nose-high attitude, in the grass field. The pilot was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries several hours later. There were no known witnesses to the accident sequence. An individual at the airport contacted first responders after observing the wreckage on the grass field. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, with substantial damage to the airframe tubing. Flight control and engine control continuity was confirmed for the aircraft. The bent throttle control was found in the “full throttle” position. The throttle control was found connected to the airframe, intact but bent. There were no signs of fluid leaks on the aircraft or at the accident site. The two four-point restraint systems were found in a stowed and secured (latched closed) position. The ignition key was found inserted, and it was found at the “on” position. The wing was found folded up and not in a deployed configuration. There were no mechanical issues noted with the airframe or the engine during the onsite examination. The pilot’s flight helmet and headset were found inside of his pickup truck, which was parked next to the fuel farm. Additionally, the driver’s side door of the pickup truck was found open. The pilot’s flight log and the aircraft maintenance records were not available for review. A private forensic pathologist performed the pilot’s autopsy for the Weld County Coroner’s Office. According to his autopsy report, the pilot’s cause of death was multiple blunt injuries and his manner of death was accident. The autopsy identified a small white metal medical device within the ventricular chamber; no leads were noted from the device. No other heart abnormalities were noted. NMS Labs performed toxicological testing of postmortem blood ofthe pilot. Fentanyl was detected at 0.9 ng/mL. Toxicology testing of postmortem specimens from the pilot conducted by the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute detected tramadol in blood at 360 ng/mL and in urine at 2119 ng/mL. N-desmethyltramadol was detected in blood and detected in urine at 322 ng/mL. O-desmethyltramadol was detected in blood at 107 ng/mL and in urine at 1516 ng/mL. Etomidate and albuterol were detected in blood and urine. Tramadol is a prescription opioid pain medication and a federal Schedule IV-controlled substance. It is commonly prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. Tramadol use may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and reduced alertness; such effects generally are more common during initial treatment or when higher-than-therapeutic doses are used. Odesmethyltramadol is the main active metabolite of tramadol, and N-desmethyltramadol is an inactive metabolite of tramadol. Albuterol is a prescription medication commonly used to treat symptoms of reactive airway disease such as bronchospasm. Etomidate is a short-acting, non-barbiturate intravenous anesthetic agent used for the rapid induction of general anesthesia. Fentanyl is a prescription opioid pain medication and a federal Schedule II controlled substance. It is often administered in the emergency setting as an adjunct to other medications to achieve general anesthesia. Powrachute LLC issued Airwolf 912ULS Safety Advisory (POW-SB-09-25-23-5) on September 25, 2023, which discusses the accident aircraft and states in part: The Airwolf powered parachute has demonstrated the potential to accelerate at a dangerously high rate of speed on the ground under certain circumstances. This document discusses safety guidance for pilots with ground operations, the starting procedure, throttle control, and taxi speed control.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N820PP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N820PP), registered now, S/N A283ULS, built 2017 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: POWRACHUTE 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: A283ULS
- Year built: 2017
- Engines: Rotax Aircraft Engines 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Airport: 7CO0, Parkland
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 78; injuries: fatal; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; seat: none; restraint: none; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.03 inHg
- Observed at: KEIK, 3 nm away
- METAR: KEIK 201455Z AUTO 17003KT 10SM 16/06 A3003 RMK AO2 T01600058

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 20230920016349I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230920016349I), Sep 20, 2023: Airwolf  912uls 912ULS, Erie, CO, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. 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…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 30, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193108. 4.3 MB in all.

- Federal aviation administration - statement (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18796575&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN23LA413%20FAA%20ASI%20MOR-Rel.pdf
- N820PP - investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 8 pages, 957 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18797387&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- N820PP - accident video footage excerpt (item 3, MOV, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18796565&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=Accident%20Video%20-%20N820PP-Rel.MOV
- Pilot - toxicological report (item 4, PDF, 2 pages, 111 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=19284263&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Toxicology%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Powrachute - airwolf 912ULS pilot operating handbook excerpt (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 645 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18796747&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Powrachute%20Airwolf%20912ULS%20POH%20Excerpt-Rel.pdf
- Powrachute - airwolf 912ULS safety advisory (POW-SB-09-25-23-5) (item 6, PDF, 2 pages, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18796347&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Powrachute-Service-Bulletin-POW-SB-09-25-23-5-2-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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