# NTSB GAA16CA526: Six Chuter Legend XL, N149SC, Arcadia, FL, September 24, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 24, 2016, 09:00 local (13:00 UTC) - Place: Arcadia, FL - Coordinates: 27.195833, -81.836669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1958&lon=-81.8367&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94271 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA526 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94271/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94271 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA526 ## 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 NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Six Chuter LEGEND XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05901T0), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/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: [Six Chuter LEGEND XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=05901T0), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Six Chuter LEGEND XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05901T0), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Decision related to condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Six Chuter LEGEND XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=05901T0), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) - [Temp/humidity/pressure: high density altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Six Chuter LEGEND XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md?model=05901T0), [All aircraft, 278 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03031020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Six Chuter LEGEND XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05901T0), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Six Chuter LEGEND XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901T0), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N149SC), registered now, S/N 3041, built 2011 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIX CHUTER INC LEGEND XL (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Six Chuter LEGEND XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/six-chuter-legend-xl) (registry code 069001E) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582e) (registry code 55557, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 3041 - Year built: 2011 - Airframe hours: 322 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: none; 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 ## 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 20160924012349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160924012349A), Sep 24, 2016: Six Chuter Inc LEGEND XL, Arcadia, FL, Substantial damage. On September 24, 2016, at 09:22 EDT, a Six chuter legend, N149SC, became collided with a electrical power line on takeoff at Arcadia airport (XO6), Arcadia FL… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 7, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94271. 1.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447193&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 596 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447194&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%20(Courtesy%20of%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.