# NTSB DFW08CA179: Hughes Aero Predator, N2572F, Wharton, TX, June 17, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 17, 2008, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Wharton, TX
- Coordinates: 29.256944, -96.156944
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2569&lon=-96.1569&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report July 30, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Houston
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DFW08CA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW08CA179

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.

## Findings

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

- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Hughes Aero PREDATOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05901TG), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

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

- [Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Hughes Aero PREDATOR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901TG), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Hughes Aero PREDATOR, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901TG), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

While demonstrating flight maneuvers in a two-seat powered parachute, the pilot encountered a stall at approximately 45 feet above ground level. Despite immediate control inputs, the pilot was unable to recover the powered parachute and impacted the ground. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The powered parachute sustained minor damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

While demonstrating flight maneuvers in a two-seat powered parachute, the pilot encountered a stall at approximately 45 feet above ground level. Despite immediate control inputs, the pilot was unable to recover the powered parachute and impacted the ground. Both the pilot and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The powered parachute sustained minor damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2572F](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2572F), registered now, S/N PC010753W4CR, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Hughes Aero Predator
- Registry model: [Hughes Aero PREDATOR](https://openairdocs.org/model/hughes-aero-predator) (registry code 05901TG) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Powered parachute
- Serial number: PC010753W4CR
- Airframe hours: 12
- Engines: Rotax 582 UL 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2008, 1 hours before
- Departed: ARM, WHARTON, TX
- Destination: Wharton, TX
- Airport: ARM, Wharton Regional Airport, runway 14, 5,004 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: serious; flight instructor, sport pilot, commercial, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 1, 2007; seat: front; flight hours: 5,175 total, 373 in this make and model, 38 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.01 inHg
- Observed at: ARM

## 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 20080617845939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080617845939A), Jun 17, 2008: PREDATOR, Wharton, TX, Minor damage. (-23) The following narrative was provided by the NTSB report #[privacy data omitted]. While demonstrating flight maneuvers in a two-seat powered parachute,…

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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