# NTSB GAA19CA208: Airframes Unlimited Outlaw, N5622D, Elizabeth, CO, April 15, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 15, 2019, 13:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Elizabeth, CO - Coordinates: 39.385276, -104.605003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3853&lon=-104.6050&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99273 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA208 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99273/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99273 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA208 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his subsequent decision to initiate a turn, which resulted in the powered parachute’s descent and impact with a fence. ## 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: [Airframes Unlimited OUTLAW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=059036A), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Airframes Unlimited OUTLAW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=059036A), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Airframes Unlimited OUTLAW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=059036A), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Airframes Unlimited OUTLAW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=059036A), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/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 lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Airframes Unlimited OUTLAW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=059036A), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Airframes Unlimited OUTLAW, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=059036A), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the powered parachute reported that, during takeoff from a hayfield, the wind was from the southwest at 6 mph and that he departed to the southwest. He added that, once airborne, the climb rate was "slower than normal," and he began a 180° left turn. On the downwind, the climb rate reduced to zero, and the powered parachute started descending. He realized he did not have enough altitude to complete the 180° turn. The powered parachute impacted the top rail of a fence, and the pilot subsequently shut the magnetos off. The airplane then impacted a second fence and the ground. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located about 16 miles northwest of the accident site reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 020° at 9 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from 245° at 6 knots and that the density altitude was "6,800+" ft. ## Factual narrative The powered parachute pilot reported that, during takeoff from a hayfield, the wind was from the southwest at 6 mph and he departed to the southwest. He added that, once airborne, the climb rate was "slower than normal" and he began a 180° left turn. On the "downwind", the climb rate reduced to "zero" and the powered parachute started descending. He realized he did not have enough altitude to complete the 180° turn. The powered parachute impacted the top rail of a fence, he shut the magnetos off, and after impacting a second fence impacted the ground. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located about 16 miles northwest of the accident reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 020° at 9 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from 245° at 6 knots and the density altitude was "6,800+" ft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5622D](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5622D), registered now, S/N OL 00579, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AIRFRAMES UNLIMITED OUTLAW - Registry model: [Airframes Unlimited OUTLAW](https://openairdocs.org/model/airframes-unlimited-outlaw) (registry code 059036A) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Hirth 2706](https://openairdocs.org/engine/hirth-2706) (registry code 33703, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: OL 00579 - Year built: 2007 - Airframe hours: 331 - Engines: Rotax 582 Blue Head 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 3, 2019 - Departed: Elizabeth, CO - Destination: Elizabeth, CO - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: serious; sport pilot, commercial, flight instructor, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 25, 2015; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 9,947 total, 411 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 20° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 23,000 ft broken - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 27 °F - Observed at: KAPA, 16 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 20190415002829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190415002829A), Apr 15, 2019: Airframes Unlimited OUTLAW, Elizabeth, CO, Minor damage. Aviation event off airport located at 39 degree 23 min 3 sec north latitude; 104 degree 36 min 21 sec west longitude. PIC performed preflight check and engine… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 13, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99273. 4.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472859&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Diagram (item 2, .PDF, 945 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472860&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Diagram-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.