# NTSB CEN25LA011: Powrachute SKY Rascal, N2565Q, Peculiar, MO, October 6, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 6, 2024, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC) - Place: Peculiar, MO - Coordinates: 38.67547, -94.479 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6755&lon=-94.4790&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - 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 - NTSB case key (mKey): 195291 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA011 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195291/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195291 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA011 ## 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 NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: 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) ## 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 (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: POWRACHUTE SKY RASCAL - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 045 - Year built: 2003 - Engines: 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. - 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 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195291. 5.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 10 pages, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17854764&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA011%20-%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 504 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17855183&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN25LA011%20-%20Photo%20Summary-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.