# NTSB ERA13CA009: Powrachute Pegasus, N580PG, Cumming, GA, October 4, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 4, 2012, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC) - Place: Cumming, GA - Coordinates: 34.238609, -84.054168 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2386&lon=-84.0542&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 13, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85264 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA009 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85264/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85264 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA009 ## Probable cause The operation of the powered parachute by a non-certificated pilot, and his failure to maintain directional control during the initial climb, which resulted in a collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute PEGASUS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05901JZ), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute PEGASUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05901JZ), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute PEGASUS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=05901JZ), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Powrachute PEGASUS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901JZ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot of the powered parachute reported that he aborted his first takeoff because the riser lines to the canopy became entangled. During the subsequent takeoff, the powered parachute encountered a "gust of wind" from the left, and the craft was pushed into trees on the right of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe and canopy. After the accident, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation of the powered parachute. ## Factual narrative The non-certificated pilot/owner of the powered parachute reported that he aborted his first takeoff because the riser lines to the canopy became entangled. During the subsequent takeoff, the powered parachute encountered a "gust of wind" from the left, and the craft was pushed into trees to the right of the runway which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe and canopy. After the accident, the pilot/owner reported to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector that there were no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation of the powered parachute. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N580PG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N580PG), registered now, S/N A058 PEG, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: POWRACHUTE PEGASUS - Registry model: [Powrachute PEGASUS](https://openairdocs.org/model/powrachute-pegasus) (registry code 05901JZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: A058 PEG - Airframe hours: 165 - Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert Branch - Registered owner: Robert Branch - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 4, 2012, 7 hours before - Departed: 4GA9, Cumming, GA - Destination: 4GA9, Cumming, GA - Airport: 4GA9, Ebeneezer Airport, runway 09, 1,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; seat: center; flight hours: 35 total, 3 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.22 inHg - Observed at: GVL, 11 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 20121004023199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121004023199A), Oct 4, 2012: Powrachute PEGASUS, Cumming, GA, Minor damage. [privacy data omitted] Started take off roll on runway 9, approximately 300 down the runway he aborted the take off a chute line sock came out of a bag and… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 4, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85264. 7.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 Memorandum for Record (item 1, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20Memorandum%20for%20Record-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380568&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement Memorandum for Record (item 4, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380574&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement%20Memorandum%20for%20Record-Master.PDF - Photo 1: View of airframe suspended in tree (Courtesy FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380602&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20View%20of%20airframe%20suspended%20in%20tree%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2: View of Damaged Airframe (Courtesy FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 3.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380605&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20View%20of%20Damaged%20Airframe%20(Courtesy%20FAA)-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.