WPR13LA069

The pilot was on a personal local sightseeing flight attempting to traverse a mountain range when he observed fog formation in the valley below, which prompted him to reverse course. After reversing course, the pilot observed clouds, which prompted him to reverse course again and to descend. The pilot added full throttle to avoid mountainous terrain, but the powered parachute would not climb. The pilot stated that it was similar to being hit by a downdraft. The nosewheel of the aircraft subsequently clipped a bush, which resulted in the aircraft impacting terrain. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

On December 14, 2012, about 1030 mountain standard time, an experimental Powerchute Airwolf 912ULS powered parachute, N480QP, was substantially damaged following impact with terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude near Dell, Montana. The pilot received minor injuries, while the passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which was being operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight departed from a private pasture near Dell about 0900.In a statement submitted to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that after taking off and proceeding west, he climbed to 10,000 feet mean sea level in order to traverse the mountains. As he approached the destination valley, the pilot observed the formation of ground fog, which prompted him to reverse course and proceed back to the east. The pilot stated that after reversing course he observed clouds moving from north to south, which then prompted him to descend back to the west and over the area that he had just been flying around. The pilot revealed that he thought he was getting too close to the mountains, and about this time he was again flying east at about 150 to 200 feet above ground level. The pilot stated that he then added full throttle, but the aircraft would not climb; it was similar to being hit by a downdraft. The powered parachute's front tire subsequently impacted a willow bush, which resulted in the aircraft impacting the ground at about 35 miles per hour before nosing over 360 degrees and coming to rest in an upright position on its wheels. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage to its primary structure and support bars. At 1053, the automated weather reporting facility at the Dillon Airport (DLN), Dillon, Montana, which was located about 38 nautical miles northeast of the accident site, reported wind 240 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 miles, few clouds at 5,500 feet, overcast clouds at 8,500 feet, temperature -3 degrees Celsius (C), dew point -7 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.64 inches of mercury.