# NTSB CHI08CA237: Powrachute PC 2000, N9338W, Goodfield, IL, August 2, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 2, 2008, 17:24 local (22:24 UTC)
- Place: Goodfield, IL
- Coordinates: 40.618057, -89.27639
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6181&lon=-89.2764&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68829
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI08CA237
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68829/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI08CA237

## Probable cause

The insufficient aircraft performance data available to the pilot and the inadequate preflight planning/preparation by the pilot. Contributing to the accident were the trees and density altitude.

## Findings

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

- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute PC 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05901OL), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute PC 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=05901OL), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md)
- [Planning/preparation: flight planning/navigation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute PC 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md?model=05901OL), [All aircraft, 179 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Powrachute PC 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05901OL), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Powrachute PC 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901OL), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The powered parachute was an existing aircraft without an airworthiness that was certified as an experimental light sport aircraft, The pilot was attempting a takeoff towards the northeast from a grass field in a park, which had trees at its edge. The aircraft was about 20 feet above ground level when the parachute contacted the trees, which was about 644 feet from the start of the takeoff roll. The grass length in the field was approximately 2 1/2 inches. The prevailing winds were calm and the density altitude was approximately 2,800 feet. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, which included bent fuselage tubing. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries. Examination of the aircraft did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The parachute was a Performance Designs Paraglider, Inc. Sunriser, part number PG0500P01, serial number PG500-001713., manufactured 08/1999. Weight and balance information for the aircraft shows a useful load of 540 lbs. The following weights were recorded: pilot - 195 lbs, passenger - 215 lbs, fuel - 60 lbs, 1 gallon of coolant - 8 lbs, 4 pints of oil - 4 lbs, 2 helmets - 4 lbs. The only takeoff performance information for the aircraft lists a takeoff roll of 25 feet to 300 feet. There is no aircraft performance data, which is not required by certification regulations, available to the pilot.

## Factual narrative

The powered parachute was an existing aircraft without an airworthiness that was certified as an experimental light sport aircraft, The pilot was attempting a takeoff towards the northeast from a grass field in a park, which had trees at its edge. The aircraft was about 20 feet above ground level when the parachute contacted the trees, which was about 644 feet from the start of the takeoff roll. The grass length in the field was approximately 2 1/2 inches. The prevailing winds were calm and the density altitude was approximately 2,800 feet. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, which included bent fuselage tubing. The pilot and passenger received serious injuries. Examination of the aircraft did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The parachute was a Performance Designs Paraglider, Inc. Sunriser, part number PG0500P01, serial number PG500-001713., manufactured 08/1999. Weight and balance information for the aircraft shows a useful load of 540 lbs. The following weights were recorded: pilot - 195 lbs, passenger - 215 lbs, fuel - 60 lbs, 1 gallon of coolant - 8 lbs, 4 pints of oil - 4 lbs, 2 helmets - 4 lbs. The only takeoff performance information for the aircraft lists a takeoff roll of 25 feet to 300 feet. There is no aircraft performance data, which is not required by certification regulations, available to the pilot.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9338W](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9338W), registered now, S/N A28POW, built 2000 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Powrachute PC 2000
- Registry model: [Powrachute PC 2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/powrachute-pc-2000) (registry code 05901OL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: A28POW
- Engines: Rotax 582-DCDI reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Pilot
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: Goodfield, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight hours: 100 total, 100 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20080802846489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080802846489A), Aug 2, 2008: Powrac PC2000, Goodfield, IL, Substantial damage. (-23) On August 2, 2008, a pilot and one passenger in a powered parachute PC200 struck trees departing Goodfield park located in Goodfield, Illinois. The…

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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