# NTSB CEN23LA424: Powrachute Pegasus, N31520, Caddo Mills, TX, September 28, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report
- Date: September 28, 2023, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Caddo Mills, TX · Airport property
- Coordinates: 33.036747, -96.239728 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0367&lon=-96.2397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: 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 3
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193174
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN23LA424
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193174/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193174
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA424

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate rolling preflight, which resulted in a loss of directional control in flight and subsequent collision with an object during landing.

## Findings

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

- [Flight control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Inadequate inspection (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute PEGASUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md?model=05901JZ), [All aircraft, 65 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022700/cases.md)
- [Planning/preparation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute PEGASUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/cases.md?model=05901JZ), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061000/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 PEGASUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=05901JZ), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Powrachute PEGASUS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901JZ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Powrachute PEGASUS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901JZ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that there were no anomalies during his preflight inspection of the powered parachute. During the rolling preflight, he observed the wing was inflated overhead and he did not notice any anomalies with the wing or the control lines. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot experienced an uncontrolled left turn. He subsequently executed a landing near an airport hangar and impacted a parked trailer during the landing roll. The passenger reported to a law enforcement officer that after takeoff the pilot stated that there was a problem and that the parachute was tangled. Postaccident examination revealed the powered parachute’s tubular frame was fractured. The wing’s control lines and risers were attached to their respective mounting locations and flight control continuity was established from the airframe to the wing. Based on the available information, it is likely that during the inflation and takeoff roll the pilot failed to notice a pressure knot (a tangle or knot held together by tension on the suspension lines during deployment but not otherwise present) or a line-over (a malfunction where a suspension line is misrouted over the canopy), which resulted in an uncommanded steep turn and loss of directional control after departure.

## Factual narrative

On September 28, 2023, about 1830 central daylight time, a Powrachute Pegasus powered parachute, N31520, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Caddo Mills Municipal Airport (7F3), Caddo Mills, Texas. The pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he had flown the aircraft for an hour earlier that day without issue. Before the accident flight, there were no anomalies noted during the preflight inspection. During the rolling preflight, he observed the wing was inflated overhead and he did not notice any anomalies with the wing or the control lines. Shortly after takeoff, about 60 ft above ground level (agl), the pilot experienced an uncommanded left turn, so he continued the turn and intended to land. He descended and maneuvered to avoid colliding with power lines, then impacted a parked trailer during the landing roll. The passenger reported to a law enforcement officer that after takeoff the pilot stated that there was a problem and that the parachute was tangled. Postaccident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed the powered parachute’s tubular frame was fractured. The wing’s control lines and risers were attached to their respective mounting locations and flight control continuity was established from the airframe to the wing. According to the FAA Powered Parachute Handbook, FAA-H-8083-29, “pressure knots are harder to determine during a rolling preflight. It may be very hard to see what is going on with the lines themselves, so the pilot may find it better to look for deformations on the bottom surface of the wing caused by one line being pulled more than it should be.” The handbook also notes that, Small twigs, stems from weeds, and other debris can get caught in the lines to form pressure knots. Pressure knots are a concern because they are only “knots” when there is tension on the lines. That means they are only a problem when your wing is inflated. As soon as you land, the foreign object often shakes free and there is no knot. However, while you are flying, that pressure knot can cause the powered parachute to go into a steep turn. Make sure there is nothing around to catch into your line sets. It continues, During the inflation and takeoff roll, you need to divide your attention between the direction the cart is going and the wing. When the wing is overhead, perform the “rolling preflight.” You need to quickly inspect the wing to make sure it is fully inflated and there are no line-overs, end cell closures, pressure knots, or huge oscillations before adding full power for takeoff. This all has to be done with quick glances.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31520](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31520), registered now, S/N A430PEG, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: POWRACHUTE PEGASUS
- Registry model: [Powrachute PEGASUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/powrachute-pegasus) (registry code 05901JZ) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582UL DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ul-dcdi) (registry code 55563, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Powered parachute
- Serial number: A430PEG
- Year built: 2006
- Airframe hours: 422.3
- Engines: Rotax 582UL reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, August 26, 2023
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: 7F3, Caddo Mills Municipal Airport
- Equipment: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: serious; sport pilot; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 66 total, 60 in this make and model, 50 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 29.90 inHg
- Observed at: KGVT, 9 nm away
- METAR: KGVT 282335Z AUTO 15005KT 10SM CLR 32/17 A2990 RMK AO2 TSNO T03230170

## 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 20230928021709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230928021709A), Sep 28, 2023: Powrachute PEGASUS, Caddo Mills, TX, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was departing from runway 13 at Caddo Mills airport (7F3). Once airborne, the aircraft began an uncommanded left turn. The aircraft…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 7, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193174. 15.8 MB in all.

- NTSB 6120 1 form (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17416436&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%201%20Form_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Police report (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 241 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17416679&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Police%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Aircraft logbook entry (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17416819&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Aircraft%20Logbook%20Entry_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Powered parachute flying handbook FAA-H-8083-29 (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 11.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17416446&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Powered%20Parachute%20Flying%20Handbook%20FAA-H-8083-29%20Excerpts-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 5, PDF, 3 pages, 966 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17423638&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf
- FAA inspector's statement (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17471692&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement_Redacted-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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