# NTSB WPR09CA188: Hiller Sixchuter Legend XL, N16503, Vancouver, WA, April 8, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 7, 2009, 18:09 local (Apr 8, 2009, 01:09 UTC) - Place: Vancouver, WA - Coordinates: 45.731945, -122.706665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.7319&lon=-122.7067&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 14, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 73633 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR09CA188 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73633/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73633 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR09CA188 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to attain/maintain adequate airspeed to become airborne within the distance available for takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: residence/building](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Hiller Tim M SIXCHUTER LEGEND, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/cases.md?model=05902KN), [All aircraft, 58 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022022/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: [Hiller Tim M SIXCHUTER LEGEND, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=05902KN), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Hiller Tim M SIXCHUTER LEGEND, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05902KN), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Hiller Tim M SIXCHUTER LEGEND, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05902KN), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot attempted a takeoff in his experimental light sport aircraft (powered parachute). On previous occasions, he had successfully become airborne from his backyard. The pilot indicated that during acceleration he was unable to gain adequate lift due to the "stagnant air condition." There was little or no wind and the airplane was carrying a passenger. The powered parachute impacted a garage. The student pilot further reported that he was working on obtaining a sport pilot certificate. The pilot reported that he experienced no preimpact mechanical malfunction with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative The student pilot attempted a takeoff in his experimental light sport aircraft (powered parachute). On previous occasions, he had successfully become airborne from his backyard. The pilot indicated that during acceleration he was unable to gain adequate lift due to the "stagnant air condition." There was little or no wind. Also, he was carrying a passenger. The powered parachute collided into a garage. The student pilot further reported that he was working on obtaining a sport pilot certificate. The pilot reported that no mechanical malfunction was experienced with the aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N16503](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16503-2013-09-19), registration cancelled 2013-09-19, S/N 3018, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HILLER Sixchuter Legend XL - Registry model: [Hiller Tim M SIXCHUTER LEGEND](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-tim-m-sixchuter-legend) (registry code 05902KN) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582e) (registry code 55557, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 3018 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: Vancouver, WA - Destination: Vancouver, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 50; injuries: serious; student; flight hours: 75 total, 25 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20090407004429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090407004429A), Apr 7, 2009: Hiller SIXCHUTERLEG, Vancouver, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft with two passengers departed from the pilot's yard. The pilot lost control of the aircraft, went through a neighbor's fence and crashed into… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 2, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73633. 412 KB in all. - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 50 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40312955&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 362 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314165&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.