WPR10LA032

The pilot of the powered parachute reported that while in cruise flight and after increasing engine power, he discovered that the throttle cables were stuck and inoperable. He then attempted to reduce power, but the power reduction was too slow so he elected to land in an open field.During the landing flare, about 10 to 15 feet above the ground, the airplane's chute stalled, which resulted in a hard landing and subsequent substantial damage to the powered parachute. The pilot reported that there were no anomalies with the airframe or engine prior to or during the flight, and he could not determine how the throttle had become inoperative.

On October 25, 2009, about 1030 mountain daylight time, a Powrachute PC 2000 powered parachute, N4036U, sustained substantial damage following a forced landing near Leadore, Idaho. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The local flight was being operated in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed from the Leadore Airport (U00), Leadore, Idaho, about 0930. In a statement provided to the Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot reported that while in cruise flight at an altitude of about 700 feet above ground level (agl), he attempted to increase engine power when he discovered that the throttle cable was stuck and inoperable. The pilot stated that when he retarded the throttle the engine power decreased "very slowly," at which time he elected to land in a large field. The pilot reported, "...at about 10 to 15 feet altitude, I tried to flare the chute to decrease my speed to land, but the chute stalled and I fell out of the sky." The pilot stated that damage to the aircraft included a bent wheel strut and structural damage to the propeller cage. The pilot further stated that he could not determine why the throttle cable had become stuck, and that there were no anomalies detected with the airframe or engine prior to or during the flight.