# NTSB ERA12LA509: Destiny XLT 2000, N103ME, Grayson, GA, August 12, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 12, 2012, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC) - Place: Grayson, GA - Coordinates: 33.871112, -83.959442 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8711&lon=-83.9594&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84672 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12LA509 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84672/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84672 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12LA509 ## Probable cause The non-certificated pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Destiny XLT 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=05901QG), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Destiny XLT 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05901QG), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Destiny XLT 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=05901QG), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Destiny XLT 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=05901QG), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Fuel starvation](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191) (defining event); cases with it: [Destiny XLT 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md?model=05901QG), [All aircraft, 733 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/191/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Destiny XLT 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05901QG), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Emergency descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Destiny XLT 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901QG), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Destiny XLT 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05901QG), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot, who recently purchased the powered parachute, stated that he noted that the packed parachute had become wet, so he planned to operate the engine to dry the parachute material. He also stated that he did not check the fuel quantity before starting the engine because he did not intend to fly the aircraft. Because of safety and space concerns, the pilot repositioned the aircraft from his home to a nearby school for the operation. However, the pilot stated that when he started the engine, the wind speed increased, and the powered parachute became airborne. The pilot stated that when he attempted to land, the engine sputtered, then the rpm increased, and then went to idle, which is consistent with fuel starvation. He maneuvered the aircraft toward the side of a road; however, the left rear wheel contacted a telephone line. During postaccident interviews, the pilot stated that he did not believe there was a preimpact mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation and indicated that the amount of fuel in the tank was minimal. ## Factual narrative On August 12, 2012, about 1230 eastern daylight time, a Destiny XLT 2000 powered parachute, N103ME, registered to a private individual, collided with a telephone line then impacted the ground near Trip Elementary School, Grayson, Georgia. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the non-certificated pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight originated about 5 minutes earlier from Trip Elementary School. The non-certificated pilot stated that he recently purchased the powered parachute and it was brought from Texas to Georgia. On the accident date, he moved the powered parachute outside his address into a cul-de-sac in front of his house, unpackaged the chute, and started the engine. He stated that prior to starting the engine he did not inspect the fuel tank to determine the fuel quantity. The parachute inflated, but concerned about the proximity to nearby houses, he secured the engine, repacked the powered parachute and trailered it to a nearby elementary school behind his house. While there, he unpacked the aircraft, laid the parachute out, and sat in the front seat. Since he did not intend to become airborne, he did not buckle his seatbelt or shoulder harness, nor did he inspect the fuel tank to determine the quantity. While at the elementary school, he started the engine, but did not look at the fuel quantity gauge. The wind picked up, and the powered parachute became airborne drifting to the right towards obstructions (power lines and trees). He added power, put on the seatbelt and shoulder harness, and flew a circuit to return and land. While on final approach to land the flight was too far to the right so he elected to perform another circuit, this time staying to the left. While on final approach to the landing spot about the height of nearby power lines, the engine sputtered. He looked to the right for a landing spot but there were cars on the road. He also knew there was a pasture nearby but because of the low altitude was unable to land there. He maneuvered the powered parachute to land on the left side of the road, and that is the last detail of the accident sequence he remembers. He was asked to quantify the amount of fuel in the fuel tank following recovery, and reported that the amount observed was minimal but did not provide a value. A witness reported he went to the elementary school to watch the pilot fly the powered parachute. The witness reported that after takeoff the pilot flew for 20 to 30 minutes. The witness reported the pilot made a sharp right turn and began descending. The left rear wheel contacted an elevated telephone line and the powered parachute descended to the road. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N103ME](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N103ME-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 1B0108 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DESTINY XLT 2000 - Registry model: [Destiny XLT 2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/destiny-xlt-2000) (registry code 05901QG) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 1B0108 - Airframe hours: 77 - Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Thomas Eanes - Registered owner: Thomas Eanes - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Grayson, GA - Destination: Grayson, GA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; injuries: serious; seat: front; flight hours: 10 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.03 inHg - Observed at: LZU, 6 nm away ## 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 20120812017689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120812017689A), Aug 12, 2012: Destiny XLT 2000, Grayson, GA, Substantial damage. Pilot took off from school parking lot. Upon descent back to land, pilot flew into powerlines, lost control and crashed. ## Docket (8 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 19, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84672. 11.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 920 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378457&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 13 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40376786&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378458&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 4, .PDF, 112 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378460&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Record of NTSB Conversation (item 5, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378461&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversation-Redacted.PDF - E-mail from Pilot Advising PostAccident Fuel Quantity (item 6, .PDF, 65 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378582&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=E-mail%20from%20Pilot%20Advising%20PostAccident%20Fuel%20Quantity-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Depicting the Wreckage Following Recovery. (item 7, .PDF, 5.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378584&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Depicting%20the%20Wreckage%20Following%20Recovery.-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Digital Photograph Provided by FAA. View Depicting the Wreckage Following Recovery. (item 8, .PDF, 4.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378585&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20Photograph%20Provided%20by%20FAA.%20View%20Depicting%20the%20Wreckage%20Following%20Recovery.-Master.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.