WPR13LA398

The pilot reported that, during takeoff in the powered parachute, he felt a slight tug on the riser lines, which then increased in intensity. He was unable to maintain control of the powered parachute, which subsequently collided with trees. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that, during takeoff, several of the parachute's suspension lines became entangled in the propeller for reasons that could not be determined and were then severed. As a result, it was not possible for the pilot to maintain aircraft control.

On September 3, 2013, at 0820 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Dream Machine powered parachute, N9032Y, impacted trees during takeoff near Bieber, California. The sport pilot/owner operated the powered parachute under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, as a personal flight. The pilot received serious injuries, and the passenger received minor injuries. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight that departed from a private airstrip, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector that during takeoff, he felt a slight tug on the riser lines, which increased in intensity. He was unable to maintain control of the powered parachute, and it subsequently collided with trees. According to the FAA inspector, the postaccident examination of the wreckage indicated that during takeoff, several of the suspension lines from the parachute became entangled in the propeller for reasons that could not be determined, and the suspension lines had been severed at the same length. The pilot did not fill-out or return the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.