Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Loss of Control on Ground: Powrachute Airwolf, N260AZ; accident occurred January 18, 2020 in Gold Canyon, Pinal County, Arizona



Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

Additional Participating Entity: 
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Scottsdale, Arizona 

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:


Location: Gold Canyon, Arizona 
Accident Number: WPR20CA070
Date & Time: January 18, 2020, 09:05 Local 
Registration: N260AZ
Aircraft: Powrachute AIRWOLF
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

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.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an aborted takeoff, which resulted in collision with a barricade.

Findings

Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Environmental issues Wall/barricade - Effect on operation

Factual Information

History of Flight

Takeoff-rejected takeoff Miscellaneous/other
Takeoff-rejected takeoff Attempted remediation/recovery
Takeoff-rejected takeoff Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Takeoff-rejected takeoff Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Sport Pilot
Age: 51,Male
Airplane Rating(s): None
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Powered-lift
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): None 
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None 
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Sport pilot None
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: Flight Time: (Estimated) 550 hours (Total, all aircraft), 190 hours (Total, this make and model), 550 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 25 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 10 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 0 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Powrachute
Registration: N260AZ
Model/Series: AIRWOLF 912
Aircraft Category: Powered parachute
Year of Manufacture: 2004
Amateur Built: Yes
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal; Experimental (Special)
Serial Number: A-053-ULS
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: January 7, 2019 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.:
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 290 Hrs
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: URL912
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 100 Horsepower
Operator: On file 
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: IWA,1384 ft msl 
Distance from Accident Site: 15 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 08:50 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 265°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 6 knots / 
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 130° 
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 32.27 inches Hg 
Temperature/Dew Point: 7°C / 3°C
Precipitation and Obscuration:
Departure Point: Gold Canyon, AZ 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Gold Canyon, AZ
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 33.306945,-111.406944(est)



GOLD CANYON, Arizona — The Pinal County Sheriff's Office says a man was hurt Saturday morning when a powered parachute crashed.

It happened in the Desert Wells Recreation Area near Gold Canyon, east of the Valley.

Authorities says the pilot, a 50-year-old man, suffered a fractured leg when the powered parachute hit a barrier. It appears the aircraft did not get high enough off the ground which caused the incident.

The pilot's current condition is unclear. Authorities said he was the only person on board.

The Federal Aviation Administration has been called out to investigate.

Story and video ➤ https://www.abc15.com

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