- Date
- October 6, 2024, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place
- Peculiar, MO
- Injuries
- 1 serious
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Phase of flight
- Initial climb
- Aircraft
- N2565QPowrachute SKY Rascal
- Defining event
- Initial climb: Loss of control in flight
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class
- Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office
- Central Region
- Parties
- FAA Kansas City FSDO
- Case key
- 195291
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The failure of the pilot to use appropriate engine power during descent in turbulent air which resulted in a loss of control.
Findings · 4
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The non-certificated pilot reported that during initial climb the powered parachute (PPC) was difficult to control due to the wind conditions. The pilot reported that he reduced engine power at about 50 feet above ground level (agl) and the PPC “fell instead of floating” to the ground. The aircraft rolled over during touchdown causing the pilot to put his hand out to stop the roll which resulted in a broken arm. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the PPC that would have precluded normal operation. The FAA Powered Parachute Flying Handbook stated that a quick reduction in throttle during a high pitch angle climb could contribute to a stall. This action quickly turns a high pitch climb into a high angle of attack. Additionally, the handbook recommends maintaining power throughout an approach when flying in more turbulent air to reduce the descent rate in case of down gusts and the possibility of an excessive descent rate.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N2565Q
- Reported as
- Powrachute SKY Rascal
- Category
- Powered parachute
- Serial number
- 045
- Built
- 2003
- Engine
- Rotax 503, 50 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Unknown
- Departed
- Peculiar, MO
- Destination
- Peculiar, MO
- Equipment
- None
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 53
- Injuries
- Serious
- Seat
- Single
- Restraint
- 3-point
- Flight hours
- 300 total · 30 in the last 90 days · 10 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 20° at 4 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 64 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.20 inHg
- Observed at
- KLRY, 7 nm away
- METAR
- METAR KLRY 070115Z AUTO 02004KT 10SM CLR 18/01 A3020 RMK AO2=
Docket · 2
The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 21, 2025, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 5.0 MB in all.