# NTSB GAA15LA085: Destiny 2000, N3376, Eltopia, WA, May 23, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 23, 2015, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Eltopia, WA - Coordinates: 46.429721, -119.021667 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.4297&lon=-119.0217&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report September 24, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: Sokane FSDO (FAA) - NTSB case key (mKey): 91229 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15LA085 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91229/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91229 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15LA085 ## Probable cause The flight instructor’s failure to tell the student pilot to abort the takeoff after the powered parachute experienced wing oscillations, which resulted in the student pilot’s loss of aircraft control during initial climb and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's decision to conduct training in a powered parachute without dual flight controls. ## 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 · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Destiny 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901ZR), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: lateral/bank control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Destiny 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md?model=05901ZR), [All aircraft, 390 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062023/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Destiny 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=05901ZR), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Destiny 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=05901ZR), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Destiny 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05901ZR), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Destiny 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05901ZR), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Destiny 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901ZR), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Destiny 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901ZR), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor and student pilot were departing in the powered parachute during a fly-in event with the student pilot at the flight controls. The flight instructor reported that the powered parachute experienced left-to-right wing oscillations during the takeoff roll and initial climb and that, about 15 ft above ground level, it rotated sharply downward and to the right and then impacted terrain; this was corroborated by video footage provided by an observer on the ground, which also showed that the oscillations worsened during the initial climb. The flight instructor reported that he was monitoring all of the parachute lines during the takeoff roll and initial climb and that he observed no abnormalities that would have adversely affected the parachute's steering mechanism. According to Federal Aviation Administration guidance on powered parachute operations, the takeoff should be aborted if the parachute experiences severe wing oscillations. The guidance also states that "dual controls are required in the aircraft for training." However, the powered parachute was not equipped with dual flight controls. If the powered parachute had been equipped with dual flight controls, it is possible that the flight instructor would have taken control of the flight and aborted the takeoff. Regardless, the flight instructor should have told the student to abort the takeoff when he first noticed the wing oscillations. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 2015, about 1430 pacific daylight time, a Destiny 2000 powered parachute, N3376, impacted terrain during the initial climb from a field near Eltopia, Washington. The flight instructor sustained minor injuries, and the student pilot sustained serious injuries. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight, which was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to the flight instructor, the aircraft experienced left to right oscillations during the takeoff roll and initial climb, and about 15 feet above ground level, the parachute rotated sharply downward and to the right. The aircraft impacted terrain in a right bank and nose-low attitude. The student pilot was at the flight controls for the entire duration of the flight, and stated in a postaccident interview that he did not make any abrupt control inputs during the takeoff or initial climb. The flight instructor stated that dual flight controls were not installed, and he could not reach the throttle lever. The flight instructor provided a video recording of the accident sequence, which was filmed by an observer on the ground. The footage depicted the accident aircraft experiencing left to right wing oscillations throughout the takeoff roll and the rotation. During the initial climb, the oscillations continued and the aircraft rolled sharply downward and to the right, eventually moving out of the video recorders view. The flight instructor stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, he reported that he was monitoring all parachute lines during the takeoff roll and initial climb, and observed no line-overs or any other abnormalities that would have adversely affected the parachute's steering mechanism. The reported winds at an airport 11 nautical miles away about the time of the accident were from 210 degrees true at 7 knots. The flight instructor reported that he observed a steady direct headwind about 4 to 7 knots before takeoff. During the video, about one minute before the accident powered parachute lifted off, an observer could be heard stating, "The wind has basically come down to nothing." ADDITIONAL INFORMATION According to the Federal Aviation Administration Powered Parachute Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-29), "An oscillating wing forced into takeoff will most likely roll the airframe," and "if the oscillations become too severe, it is best to abort the takeoff and set up again." The handbook additionally states, "Dual controls are required in the aircraft for training." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3376](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3376-2019-11-29), registration cancelled 2019-11-29, S/N 1C0267, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DESTINY 2000 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Destiny 2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/destiny-2000) (registry code 05901ZR) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 1C0267 - Year built: 2001 - Engines: Rotax 582DCDI 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 2014 - Departed: Eltopia, WA - Destination: Eltopia, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 30 total, 30 in this make and model - Flight instructor; age 57; injuries: minor; flight instructor, sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; last flight review October 31, 2014; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 458 total, 1 in this make and model, 306 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KPSC, 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 20150523007799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150523007799A), May 23, 2015: Destiny 2000, Eltopia, WA, Substantial damage. Powered parachute became airborne when parachute made an abrubt shift to the right. Aircraft impacted the ground. ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 4, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91229. 7.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431560&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (Flight Instructor - 1) (item 2, .PDF, 70 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431561&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Flight%20Instructor%20-%201)-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Flight Instructor – 2) (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431562&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Flight%20Instructor%20%E2%80%93%202)%20-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation (Student Pilot) (item 4, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431563&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20(Student%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - Photo 1 – Right Side of Powered Parachute (Courtesy of Operator) (item 5, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431564&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Right%20Side%20of%20Powered%20Parachute%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Left Side of Powered Parachute (Courtesy of Operator) (item 6, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431565&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Left%20Side%20of%20Powered%20Parachute%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)-Master.PDF - 7. Video 1 – Shelf Item - Observer from Ground (Courtesy of Operator) Video taken from ground showing takeoff (item 7, .PDF, 3 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40431566&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=7.%09Video%201%20%E2%80%93%20Shelf%20Item%20-%20Observer%20from%20Ground%20(Courtesy%20of%20Operator)%0D%0AVideo%20taken%20from%20ground%20showing%20takeoff%0D%0A-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.