# NTSB WPR20CA070: Powrachute Airwolf, N260AZ, Gold Canyon, AZ, January 18, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 18, 2020, 09:05 local (16:05 UTC) - Place: Gold Canyon, AZ - Coordinates: 33.306945, -111.406944 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3069&lon=-111.4069&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA, AFG-SDL-FSDO-07 - NTSB case key (mKey): 100843 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA070 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100843/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100843 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA070 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in collision with a barricade. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901JO), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05901JO), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wall/barricade](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027/cases.md?model=05901JO), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022027/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05901JO), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05901JO), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05901JO), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Powrachute AIRWOLF, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901JO), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, during the takeoff roll in the powered parachute, the parachute "did not come up straight but to the side," so he aborted the takeoff. He reduced the throttle, but the powered parachute didn't slow down, and it pulled to the side of the runway. He tried applying brakes, but the front brake was on gravel and got locked up and would not turn the powered parachute, which then slid forward and hit a barricade. The steering bar and frame sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll, in the powered parachute, the parachute did not come up straight, but to one side so he aborted the takeoff. He reduced the throttle, but the aircraft didn't slow down and pulled him to one side of the runway. He tried applying brakes, but he was on gravel and the front brake locked up, and would not turn the aircraft. The aircraft then slid forward and hit a barricade. The steering bar and frame were substantially damaged. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N260AZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N260AZ), registered now, S/N A-053-ULS, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Powrachute AIRWOLF (912) - Registry model: [Powrachute AIRWOLF](https://openairdocs.org/model/powrachute-airwolf) (registry code 059021X) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute, amateur-built - Serial number: A-053-ULS - Year built: 2004 - Airframe hours: 290 - Engines: Rotax URL912 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, January 7, 2019 - Departed: Gold Canyon, AZ - Destination: Gold Canyon, AZ - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: serious; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 550 total, 190 in this make and model, 550 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 6 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 32.27 inHg - Observed at: IWA, 15 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 20200118003649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200118003649A), Jan 18, 2020: Powrachute Corp AIRWOLF, Gold Canyon, AZ, Substantial damage. On January 18, 2020, at approximately 0905 mountain standard time, an air wolf powered parachute, N260AZ, serial number A-053-ULS was substantially damaged… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100843. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484778&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484779&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Photos (item 3, .PDF, 2 photos, 299 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484780&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.