# NTSB GAA18CA029: Six Chuter West Legend XL, N781SC, Mabton, WA, October 26, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 26, 2017, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Mabton, WA - Coordinates: 46.190555, -119.941947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.1906&lon=-119.9419&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96256 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA029 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96256/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96256 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA029 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to see and avoid transmission wires. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Six Chuter West LEGEND XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=060009P), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Six Chuter West LEGEND XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=060009P), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Six Chuter West LEGEND XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=060009P), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Six Chuter West LEGEND XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=060009P), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Six Chuter West LEGEND XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=060009P), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the powered parachute reported that, during a biennial flight review, he descended to about 30 ft above the ground to fly an arc around a field. While over the field, the powered parachute dropped another 10 to 15 ft, and he added power to compensate before initiating a left turn. He added that, during the turn, he saw transmission wires that neither he nor the flight instructor previously noticed. He applied full power and attempted a turn to avoid the wires. Subsequently, the powered parachute struck the transmission wires and impacted terrain. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the powered parachute reported that, during a biennial flight review, they descended to about 30 ft. above the ground to fly an arc around a field. While over the field, the powered parachute dropped another 10 to 15 ft. and he added power to compensate before initiating a left turn. He added that, during the turn, he saw transmission wires that neither he nor the flight instructor noticed prior. He applied full power and attempted a turn to avoid the wires. Subsequently, the powered parachute struck the transmission wires and impacted terrain. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N781SC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N781SC), registered now, S/N 3172, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIX CHUTER WEST LLC LEGEND XL (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Six Chuter West LEGEND XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/six-chuter-west-legend-xl) (registry code 060009P) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912UL series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912ul-series) (registry code 55571, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 3172 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 93 - Engines: ROTAX 912E 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 4, 2016 - Departed: S40, PROSSER, WA - Destination: S40, PROSSER, WA - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 65; injuries: minor; flight instructor, sport pilot, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; last flight review April 3, 2017; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 932 total, 185 in this make and model, 699 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; restraint: 4-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.29 inHg - Observed at: KRLD, 27 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 20171026021269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20171026021269A), Oct 26, 2017: Six Chuter West LLC LEGEND XL, Mabton, WA, Substantial damage. On October 26, 2017, at 0900 pacific daylight time, a 2016 Six Chuter West LLC. Legend Xl, registration number N781SC, impacted terrain following contact with… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 13, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96256. 679 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 505 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466663&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 14 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466664&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 160 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466665&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.