- Date
- September 24, 2016, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC)
- Place
- Arcadia, FL
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N149SCSix Chuter Legend XL
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report January 18, 2017
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- General Aviation Accidents
- Parties
- FAA
- FAA report
- 20160924012349A
- Case key
- 94271
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to take off in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in the powered parachute being unable to maintain a sufficient climb rate and its subsequent impact with power lines.
Findings · 5
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot of the powered parachute reported that the flight got started later in the day than he had planned and that the temperature and relative humidity had risen. He further reported that during the initial climb the powered parachute was unable to gain sufficient lift to maintain a climb rate required to clear nearby power lines. Subsequently, the powered parachute struck the power lines. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage to its tubular frame. The pilot reported that the air temperature at the time of the accident was 94 degrees Fahrenheit, with a density altitude of 1,800 feet. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The pilot of the powered parachute reported that the flight got started later in the day than he had planned and that the temperature and relative humidity had risen. He further reported that during the initial climb the powered parachute was unable to gain sufficient lift to maintain a climb rate required to clear nearby power lines. Subsequently, the powered parachute stuck the power lines. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage to its tubular frame. The pilot reported that the air temperature at the time of the accident was 94 degrees Fahrenheit, with a density altitude of 1,800 feet. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N149SC
- Reported as
- Six Chuter Legend XL (NO SERIES)
- Category
- Powered parachute
- Serial number
- 3041
- Built
- 2011
- Airframe hours
- 322
- Engine
- Rotax 582 Blue Toy, 65 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Last inspection
- Annual · October 24, 2015
- Departed
- X06 · Arcadia, FL
- Destination
- X06 · Arcadia, FL
- Airport
- X06 · Arcadia Muni
- Equipment
- None
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 55
- Injuries
- None
- Certificate
- Sport Pilot
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Sport pilot, Unknown
- Seat
- Front
- Restraint
- 4-point
- Flight hours
- 72 total · 72 in this make and model · 60 as pilot in command · 15 in the last 90 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 60° at 3 knots
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 75 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter
- 30.04 inHg
- Observed at
- KPGD, 19 nm away
Docket · 2
The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 7, 2016, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 1.6 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.