# NTSB ERA23LA003: Destiny XLT, N5065Q, Oneonta, AL, September 24, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: September 24, 2022, 08:20 local (13:20 UTC) - Place: Oneonta, AL - Coordinates: 33.972108, -86.380817 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9721&lon=-86.3808&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 106054 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA23LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/106054/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106054 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA003 ## Probable cause The uncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the powered parachute during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Destiny XLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=059019C), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Destiny XLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=059019C), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Destiny XLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=059019C), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Destiny XLT, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=059019C), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noncertificated pilot reported that both a gust of wind and improper application of rudder during takeoff in his powered parachute resulted in him impacting trees to the left of the departure runway. This impact resulted in substantial damage to the airframe tubing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5065Q](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5065Q), registered now, S/N 3C0526, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DESTINY XLT - Registry model: [Destiny XLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/destiny-xlt) (registry code 059005G) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 3C0526 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 285 - Engines: ROTAX 582SER 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 2021 - Airport: 20A, Robbins Fld, runway 6, 4,203 × 80 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 6, 2022; seat: front ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: GAD, 15 nm away - METAR: KGAD 241256Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 14/13 A3015 RMK AO2 SLP212 T01440128 PNO $ ## 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 20220924017159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220924017159A), Sep 24, 2022: Destiny XLT, Altoona, AL, Substantial damage. Per eyewitnesses, [privacy data omitted] performed a normal takeoff. Once airborne for several seconds, the aicraft went into the trees adjacent to the north… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2022, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=106054. 7.3 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14656548&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA23LA003%206120-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, passenger (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 195 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14657127&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20Passenger%20Interview%20ERA23LA003%20V1-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� FAA inspector statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 214 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14657630&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20For%20Record%20FAA%20Inspector-Rel.pdf - Photographs (item 4, PDF, 3 pages, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14656558&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.