# NTSB WPR23LA281: Six Chuter SR7, N942WA, Hamilton, MT, July 19, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 19, 2023, 08:00 local (14:00 UTC) - Place: Hamilton, MT · private property - Coordinates: 46.23104, -114.19899 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.2310&lon=-114.1990&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administraton - NTSB case key (mKey): 192684 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA281 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192684/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192684 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA281 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during takeoff and subsequent impact with a tree. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Six Chuter SR7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05902VM), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Six Chuter SR7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05902VM), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Six Chuter SR7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05902VM), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the powered parachute reported that, after raising the wing and during takeoff, the powered parachute experienced an unexpected right turn. He checked to see if any steering lines were tangled but could not confirm that they were. He attempted to increase the right turn to avoid impacting a tree but was unable to clear it, and the powered parachute came to rest in the treeThis is not supported in the 6120 in the docket. You’ll need to add a record of conversation if you want to keep it. . A stabilizer tube and a center of gravity tube sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N942WA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N942WA), registered now, S/N 97-1739-2SR7, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: SIX CHUTER INC SR7 - Registry model: [Six Chuter SR7](https://openairdocs.org/model/six-chuter-sr7) (registry code 05902VM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Ultralight - Serial number: 97-1739-2SR7 - Year built: 1997 - Airframe hours: 460 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 103 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, February 10, 2023, 19 hours before - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, unknown; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 152 total, 152 in this make and model, 152 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.24 inHg - Observed at: KHRF, 3 nm away - METAR: KHRF 191335Z AUTO 18004KT 10SM 13/05 A3024 ## 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 20230719009589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230719009589A), Jul 19, 2023: Six Chuter Inc SR7, Hamilton, MT, Minor damage. On July 19, 2023, at 0737 MST, a Six Chuter Inc, model SR7, struck a tree during takeoff. The aircraft sustained minor damage, and the pilot recieved minor… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192684. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15996981&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA281_6120_flat_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 648 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15996626&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA281%20photos_508-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 95 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15997238&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20M%20Koppes_Redacted-Rel.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.