# NTSB DEN08LA113: Southern Powered Parachutes Condor, N3150U, Brookfield, MO, June 20, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 20, 2008, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Brookfield, MO - Coordinates: 39.77, -93.012496 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7700&lon=-93.0125&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report December 24, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 68312 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68312/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA113 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of familiarity and experience in the accident aircraft. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Southern Powered Parachutes CONDOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=05901VX), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: total experience w/ equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Southern Powered Parachutes CONDOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md?model=05901VX), [All aircraft, 269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031025/cases.md) - [Knowledge: knowledge of equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Southern Powered Parachutes CONDOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md?model=05901VX), [All aircraft, 69 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02032015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Southern Powered Parachutes CONDOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901VX), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Southern Powered Parachutes CONDOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05901VX), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Southern Powered Parachutes CONDOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901VX), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis Prior to the flight, the pilot and owner conducted a preflight of the aircraft and no anomalies were noted. The takeoff was normal and he climbed the aircraft to 500 feet above ground level (agl). At 500 feet agl, the aircraft encountered strong winds and the pilot elected to descend to a lower altitude as the surface winds were light and variable. The pilot stated that the 15 to 20 minute flight was a "good flight." While in the traffic pattern, the pilot executed shallow bank turns and a slow descent. During straight and level flight approximately 100 feet agl, the pilot experienced a loss of altitude and it felt as though the parachute folded in half. The pilot applied engine power; however, the aircraft impacted terrain. During the impact, the aircraft's left main landing gear struck terrain and the aircraft rolled over onto it's right side. In the days preceding the flight, the pilot read the operations manual for the aircraft. The pilot had no previous experience in powered parachutes and was going to become familiar with the airplane in order to eventually conduct flight training with the new owner. ## Factual narrative On June 20, 2008, at 1700 central daylight time, a Southern Powered Parachutes Condor experimental light sport airplane, N3150U, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain following a loss of control while maneuvering near the North Central Missouri Regional Airport (MO8), Brookfield, Missouri. The airline transport pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The powered parachute was registered to a private individual and operated by the pilot. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight departed MO8 at 1620. During a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator, the pilot stated that in the days preceding the flight, he read the operations manual for the aircraft. The pilot had no previous experience in powered parachutes and was going to become familiar with the airplane in order to eventually conduct flight training with the new owner. The pilot and owner conducted a preflight of the aircraft and no anomalies were noted. The takeoff was normal and he climbed the aircraft to 500 feet above ground level (agl). At 500 feet agl, the aircraft encountered strong winds and the pilot elected to descend to a lower altitude as the surface winds were light and variable. The pilot stated the 15 to 20 minute flight was a "good flight." While in the traffic pattern, the pilot executed shallow bank turns and a slow descent. During straight and level flight approximately 100 feet agl, the pilot experienced a loss of altitude and it felt as though the parachute folded in half. The pilot applied engine power; however, the aircraft impacted terrain. During the impact, the aircraft's left main landing gear struck terrain and the aircraft rolled over onto it's right side. Examination of the aircraft revealed the fuselage tubes were bent, and the parachute was destroyed after contact with the propeller. No evidence of pre-impact anomalies were noted with the aircraft systems. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3150U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3150U-2012-08-22), registration cancelled 2012-08-22, S/N 5742414, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Southern Powered Parachutes Condor - Registry model: [Southern Powered Parachutes CONDOR](https://openairdocs.org/model/southern-powered-parachutes-condor) (registry code 05901VX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 5742414 - Airframe hours: 23 - Engines: Rotax 582 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William C. Wilson - Registered owner: Robert Ayers - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special); Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 1, 2007 - Departed: MO8, Brookfield, MO - Airport: MO8, North Central Missouri Regiona ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: serious; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review May 1, 2008; seat: center; flight hours: 21,110 total, 20,989 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F ## 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 20080620840029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080620840029A), Jun 20, 2008: Amtr CONDOR, Brookfield, MO, Minor damage. (-23) The pilot stated that the aircraft's parachute collapsed in the middle of the parachute at approximately 100 feet AGL as the pilot approached the airport… 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.