# NTSB WPR13LA069: Powerchute Airwolf 912ULS, N480QP, Dell, MT, December 14, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 14, 2012, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Dell, MT - Coordinates: 44.70222, -113.050834 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.7022&lon=-113.0508&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 11, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85821 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85821/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85821 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13LA069 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control and clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude in downdraft conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) - [Terrain: mountainous/hilly terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/cases.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 329 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021010/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: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0690004), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis 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. ## Factual narrative 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. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N480QP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N480QP), registered now, S/N A180ULS (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: POWERCHUTE Airwolf 912ULS - Registry model: [Powrachute AIRWOLF 912ULS](https://openairdocs.org/model/powrachute-airwolf-912uls) (registry code 0690004) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: A180ULS - Airframe hours: 9 - Engines: ROTAX 912 UL 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Greg K Nickerson - Registered owner: Greg K Nickerson - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 2012, 9 hours before - Departed: Dell, MT - Destination: Dell, MT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: minor; sport pilot; seat: front; flight hours: 600 total, 600 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 9 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 8,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 27 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 29.63 inHg - Observed at: DLN, 38 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 20121214027099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121214027099A), Dec 14, 2012: Powrachute LLC AIRWOLF 912ULS, Dell, MT, Substantial damage. A certificated sport pilot was in the process of conducting hi bi-annual flight review with a certifacated sport pilot CFI on Friday December 14, 2012. When at… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 27, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85821. 2.5 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40399852&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Data (item 2, .PDF, 267 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40383810&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Data-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.