Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Grazhopper Trike: Fatal accident occurred June 23, 2014 in Ottawa, Illinois

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Aviation Accident Final Report  -   National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Docket And Docket Items -  National Transportation Safety Board:   https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

NTSB Identification: CEN14LA316
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, June 23, 2014 in Ottawa, IL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 08/01/2016
Aircraft: GRAZHOPPER TRIKE, registration: NONE
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Minor.

NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

The noncertificated pilot was conducting a personal local flight in a powered-parachute. The pilot reported that he was flying the powered-parachute at low altitude through mist over the spillway of a dam when the engine suddenly lost power. The powered-parachute subsequently impacted the surface of turbulent flood waters just below the dam. After impact, the deflated parachute canopy flew over and covered the top of the airframe, which was then submerged or partially submerged. The pilot was able to free himself; however, the passenger was not able to exit and was fatally injured. A police officer who interviewed the pilot about 5 hours after the accident reported that the pilot's speech pattern was rambling and that the pilot appeared to be "under the influence of something." Blood specimens collected from the pilot more than 6 hours after the accident showed high levels of alprazolam and hydrocodone and low levels of oxycodone and diazepam. Although the exact blood levels of all four medications at the time of the accident could not be determined, it is likely that all of these sedating drugs were present in the pilot’s system at or well above the normal therapeutic range at the time of the accident. The high levels these drugs and the evidence of impairment described by the police officer just 5 hours after the accident indicate that the pilot was impaired by the effects of multiple sedating medications around the time of the accident, which likely effected his decision-making and flight skills.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The noncertificated pilot’s improper decision to operate the powered-parachute at low altitude through mist in a confined area while he was impaired by multiple sedating medications, which resulted in his loss of control of the parachute and subsequent impact with water. 

HISTORY OF FLIGHT

On June 23, 2014, about 2100 central daylight time, an unregistered powered parachute with a two-seat trike airframe, was substantially damaged after impacting the surface of the water on the Fox River near Ottawa, Illinois. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was fatally injured. The powered parachute was operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The powered parachute had departed Skydive Chicago Airport (8N2), Ottawa, Illinois about 2040 for a local flight.

The pilot reported that the passenger on the accident flight had been pushing the pilot to fly at a lower altitude and closer to the river and the spillway on the dam. While flying downstream through mist over the dam at an altitude of about 50 feet above ground level the engine suddenly quit. Following the loss of engine power the pilot was unable to fly to a nearby shoreline and impacted the surface of the turbulent flood waters just below the dam.

After hitting the water the parachute canopy flew over and covered the top of the airframe which was then submerged or partially submerged. The pilot estimated that had he had been underwater for about 15 seconds before he was able to unfasten his harness and get himself free. The fast flowing water current then carried the pilot downstream.

One person reported that he didn't see the accident, but he remembered hearing the powered parachute flying in the area and the engine sounded like it was "missing" and perhaps the carburetor was "choking out". There were no witnesses to the accident and emergency personnel responded only after the pilot exited the river and walked to a nearby business to make a call to 9-1-1 emergency.

The passenger did not exit the partially submerged wreckage and was removed the following morning by emergency personnel.

PERSONNEL INFORMATION

The pilot, age 33, held a current "advanced instructor" rating issued by the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association, Inc. (USHPA). The USHPA instructor rating was valid only for instruction in ultralight vehicles. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records showed that the pilot had never held an FAA pilot certificate and had never held an FAA medical certificate.

The pilot said he had recently come to Skydive Chicago at 8N2 to make money by selling rides in the powered parachute that he owned, and this was his only means of income.

The pilot's personal logbooks were not available for examination by the NTSB during the course of the investigation. Based on postaccident interviews with the pilot, he had owned and flown the powered parachute for about the previous six months. The pilot did not report any details about his pilot experience or his previous flight training.

AIRCRAFT INFORMATION

The two-seat, single engine, powered parachute, was a "GRAZhopper Trike" which was powered by an aft mounted 25 horsepower Vittorazi Monster 185, two-stroke pusher engine. The amateur built light sport aircraft had a tubular frame with two main landing gear wheels mounted just aft of the pilot's seat. There was a steerable nose wheel, mounted forward of the front passenger seat, which was operated by direct pedal inputs from the rear seat pilot. The pilot's seat was in the rear and the passenger's seat was in in the front. Each seat was equipped with a 4-point seat belt and shoulder harness restraint system. The parachute canopy had risers which were connected to the top of the tubular frame between the two tandem seats. During flight the canopy could be controlled by inputs from the pilot by pulling down on the parachute risers.

FAA records show that the light sport powered parachute had never been issued an FAA airworthiness certificate and had never been issued an FAA registration certificate. No aircraft maintenance records were located during the course of the investigation. The date of manufacture was reported by the pilot to have been in about 2013 or 2014. The name of the manufacturer could not be determined.

METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION

The closest official weather reporting station was at KVYS, Peru, Illinois; located 17 miles west from the accident location

At 2035 the Automated Surface Observation System at KVYS reported wind from 260 degrees at 4 knots, visibility 10 miles, broken clouds at 6,000 feet, temperature 24 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 21 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 29.87 inches of mercury.

Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed that, at the accident location, sunset occurred at 2033, the end of evening civil twilight occurred at 2107, and moonset occurred at 1810.

WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION

Emergency responders found the partially submerged wreckage snagged on a pile of driftwood near the middle of the Fox River about 200 feet downstream from the 600 foot wide spillway of a hydroelectric dam. The trike frame was resting right side down with the left main landing gear sticking out of the water and the front wheel oriented downstream to the south. The yellow parachute canopy was wrapped around the engine cage and trike frame.

Turbulent fast flowing water hampered recovery efforts and the wreckage remained in place after emergency responders departed. The flood conditions in the river increased, and the wreckage was subsequently swept downstream. The wreckage was not recovered, and was not further examined.

MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION

An autopsy was performed on the passenger by a forensic pathologist as ordered by the LaSalle County Coroner's Office; Ottawa, Illinois.

Forensic toxicology was performed on specimens from the pilot by the FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The toxicology report stated that tests for carbon monoxide and for cyanide were not performed, no ethanol was detected in blood, dihydrocodeine was detected in blood, hydrocodone was detected in blood, and oxycodone was detected in blood.

According to the police interview conducted approximately 5 hours after the crash, the pilot said he had used several prescription medications on the day of the accident, including oxycodone (15 mg) in that morning and again in the afternoon; alprazolam, one that morning and one again that afternoon; diazepam one that morning, and one at noon; and two hydrocodone that morning. Additionally, the police interview report noted that the pilot's speech pattern was rambling and the pilot would forget what they were talking about, and would not sometimes understand basic questions as if he was "under the influence of something."

The Illinois State Police Forensic Laboratory reported that blood specimens collected from the pilot at 0347 on the morning of June 24, 2014, tested positive for alprazolam 40 ug/L, hydrocodone 70 ug/L, oxycodone less than 10 ug/L and diazepam less than 250 ug/L.

Alprazolam is a sedating benzodiazepine used to treat panic and anxiety disorders marketed as Xanax. The therapeutic range is from 0.6 to 20 ug/L and the half-life ranges from 6 to 20 hours. Hydrocodone is a narcotic analgesic marketed under many names including Vicodin. The therapeutic range is from 10 to 50 ug/L and the half-life ranges from 4 to 8 hours. Oxycodone is another narcotic analgesic marketed under many names including Percocet. The therapeutic range is from 13 to 99 ug/L and the half-life ranges from 4 to 6 hours. Diazepam is a sedating benzodiazepine used to treat a number of conditions including anxiety, and muscle spasms and is marketed as Valium. The therapeutic range is from 100 to 1,500 ug/L and the half-life ranges from 21 to 82 hours.

All of the above medications carry the warning: may impair mental and/or physical ability required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks (e.g., driving, operating heavy machinery). Additionally, the combination of these four central nervous system (CNS) depressant medications may enhance the depressant effects of any single drug.

The investigation was unable to identify any information about the pilot's previous medical history.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 61.53 (b) requires that a person shall not act as a required pilot crewmember, while that person knows or has reason to know of any medical condition that would make the person unable to operate the aircraft in a safe manner.

14 CFR 91.146 and 91.147 define requirements for conducting certain passenger carrying flights for compensation or hire.

14 CFR 61.303 requires that the pilot of a light sport aircraft must hold at least a sport pilot certificate issued by the FAA.

14 CFR 61.413 authorizes flight instruction in a light sport aircraft by a person who holds at least a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating issued by the FAA.

14 CFR 91.203 requires that a civil aircraft may not be operated unless it has a current airworthiness certificate and an effective U. S. registration certificate.

14 CFR 103.1 defines an ultralight vehicle as a vehicle used for operation in the air by a single-occupant, and used for recreation or sport purposes only.

NTSB Identification: CEN14LA316
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Monday, June 23, 2014 in Ottawa, IL
Aircraft: UNKNOWN UNKNOWN, registration: NONE
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Minor.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

On June 23, 2014, about 2100 central daylight time, an unregistered 2-seat trike powered parachute, was substantially damaged after impacting the surface of the water on the Fox River near Ottawa, Illinois. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was fatally injured. The powered parachute was operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The powered parachute had departed Skydive Chicago Airport (8N2), Ottawa, Illinois at an unknown time.



Jeffrey Carpenter 
1963 - 2014  

Obituary 


 Jeffrey Allan Carpenter, age 50, of Chicago, passed away Tuesday, June 24, 2014 as the result of an aircraft accident on the Fox River near Ottawa. "I believe in a Universal Spirit that can only be experienced by living good and helping others, seeing their best and encouraging it." Cremation rites will be accorded. A Celebration of Life will be held at Skydive Chicago at a later date. Gladfelter Funeral Home, Ottawa is handling arrangements. Jeffrey was born October 25, 1963 in Knoxville, TN, a son of E. Larry and Jeanne Carpenter. He married Audrey L. Carrera August 16, 1997 in Chicago. Surviving are his Beloved wife, Audrey of Chicago; his dog Taysa; a sister, Robyn Carpenter Shawkey of NC; a brother, Larry M. Carpenter of Texas; two nieces, Kathryn and Megan Shawkey of NC; a nephew, Ramin Chitsaz of Chicago; sister-in-law, Hedy Carrera of Morton Grove, IL and mother-in-law Piedad Carrera of Chicago. His parents preceded him in death. Jeffrey graduated from Webster University, St. Louis, MO with a B.A. in Liberal Arts. He was sales manager at Skydive Chicago, and owner and operator of Adrenaline Dance all in Ottawa, IL He was a member of the United States Parachute Association. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Jeff Carpenter Memorial Fund c/o First State Bank, 1212 LaSalle St., Ottawa, IL 61350.

Published in Chicago Tribune on June 29, 2014

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituary


 

OTTAWA, Ill. (CBS) – A Chicago man was killed, and an Arizona man was hospitalized, after their ultralight aircraft crashed Monday night in the middle of the Fox River near Ottawa.  

Lake County Sheriff’s police said they got a call from the pilot — Nicholas Peterson, of Arizona — around 10:30 p.m., approximately 90 minutes after the aircraft crashed in the river. He had managed to swim to safety, but his passenger, 50-year-old Jeffrey Carpenter of Chicago, wasn’t able to get free from his harness, and went under the surface.

CBS 2’s Mike Puccinelli reports the men took off from Skydive Chicago in Ottawa sometime Monday evening in an ultralight aircraft — either a paraglider or an ultraglider — which are commonly flown from that airfield.

Connie Reppine saw the aircraft flying overhead before the crash, and she immediately recognized the telltale sound of trouble.

“It was just like his engine was just making noises,” she said.

Reppine said the aircraft was flying so low it disappeared beneath the treeline, but not before she expressed her concerns out loud.

“I said mom, he’s going to crash in that river,” she said.

Reppine never heard the crash over the roar of the dam, but LaSalle County Sheriff Tom Templeton said the Peterson and Carpenter clearly knew they were about to crash, and were going to have to get away from the aircraft after it hit the water near the Dayton Dam.

Templeton said Peterson told police the aircraft experienced engine trouble before it went down in the middle of the river. The swift current pushed the aircraft against a tree in the middle of the river. Carpenter could not remove his harness, and became trapped under the water, pressed against the tree.

Peterson was able to cut himself free, and swim to shore, but it was approximately 90 minutes after the crash before he could contact police.

Crews tried to rescue Carpenter Monday night, but determined conditions were too dangerous – between the swift-flowing river, the growing darkness, and intermittent rain – and the search was suspended until daybreak.

“The current’s really fast, it’s over 7,000 feet per second, which is extremely swift water; flood stage. The water’s not that deep, but you can’t walk in it. It’ll wipe you right away,” said Marseilles Fire Chief Mick Garrison.

A hovercraft was brought in Tuesday morning when the search resumed, but it also had trouble navigating the river.

“Two gentlemen had to walk through the water, approximately 50 feet,” Garrison said.

Templeton said it was “absolutely remarkable” those two men were able to walk out to the wreck and get Carpenter’s body free. Carpenter was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:05 a.m.

Peterson was taken to OSF St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa after he was rescued. Templeton said he was conscious and talking to investigators.

Story and Video:   http://chicago.cbslocal.com


 
DAYTON, Ill. (WLS) --   An adventure turned tragic in LaSalle County west of Chicago when a powered ultralight aircraft crashed Monday night in the Fox River near Ottawa, killing one person.

People in the area are used to seeing a lot of recreational aircraft. They have an enthusiastic skydive community and Jeffery Carpenter, the man who died, was an active participant in the community and worked at the skydive shop not far from the accident site.

Apparently, Carpenter, from Chicago, went for a ride Monday evening and something went terribly wrong over Fox River.

The craft stopped 50 feet below the Dayton Dam and it will stay there until conditions improve, as officials say it is too dangerous to move.

Nearby residents tell us the river is 20 feet higher than normal with more debris and stronger current.

"To me they shouldn't have been around here because of the high water. This is a bad spot for high water and running real bad," said resident Dan Szobar.

It was treacherous early Tuesday morning for trained rescue personnel as they walked into the elevated fast water of the Fox River, where they were able to recover the Carpenter's body.

"He was entrapped and he was still in his harness. The rescuers had to remove him from his harness and he was fully submerged," said Chief Michael Garrison, Marseilles Fire Department.

The ultralight craft may have been a powered parachute. The type of craft is still under investigation.

Local authorities say it left a nearby airport Monday evening. The pilot told investigators they ran into trouble over the river.

"They knew that the aircraft was going down, they were having engine trouble. The pilot knew it and he communicated that to his passenger," said LaSalle County Sheriff Tom Templeton.

The pilot was able to cut himself out and float downstream until he could swim to shore.
He told investigators they crashed in the River about 8:30 p.m. 911 was called after 10 p.m.

Rescuers tried to reach Carpenter Monday night, but could not get to him until Tuesday due to the water conditions.

Some in the area recall seeing an ultralight that looked to be in trouble Monday.

"I'm used to seeing them, but it was just really, really scary because he was flying way too low," said resident Connie Reppine.

Aside from the engine trouble, there was mist over the river at dusk Monday night.

"Common sense tells me that this is pretty dangerous to be out in the weather conditions we have, plus in the dark evening hours to be over the water," Sheriff Templeton said.

The remains of the craft will remain in the river at least a few more days until conditions are safer for officials to retrieve it.

FAA investigators were on the scene, but want to get a closer look to figure out exactly what the rules, restrictions and regulations are for that type of vehicle, but they have not specifically named what type of craft it is.

The pilot was hospitalized, but has been released.

PHOTOS: Crews search for ultra glider passenger in Fox River

Story, video and photo gallery:  http://abc7chicago.com

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