Controlled Flight Into Terrain: Condor, N3502X; accident occurred July 04, 2020 in Freedom, Outagamie County, Wisconsin

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board

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

Additional Participating Entity: 

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:

https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket

https://registry.faa.gov/N980WC 

Location: Freedom, WI
Accident Number:CEN20CA275 
Date & Time: 07/04/2020, 2030 CDT
Registration: N3502X
Aircraft: CONDOR CONDOR
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis

The pilot said he was flying over his home's driveway with a passenger so a family member could take pictures as he flew over. He said he descended to an altitude he thought was above wires at the end of his driveway, which he estimated were 25 ft above the ground. As he tracked along the driveway he added full power to climb when he was about 500 ft from the wires, but the powered parachute climbed slowly and the left wheel caught a wire. The aircraft descended into the ground, substantially bending and damaging the aircraft fuselage structure that included the parachute attachment point. The pilot indicated there were no mechanical anomalies with the aircraft that contributed to the accident. 

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's failure to initiate a climb in a timely manner which resulted in contact with wires.

Findings

Personnel issues Decision making/judgment - Pilot

Personnel issues Delayed action - Pilot

Aircraft Climb rate - Not attained/maintained

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT) (Defining event)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Private
Age: 60, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): None
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 3 Without Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 04/24/2020
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 12/27/2019
Flight Time:  287 hours (Total, all aircraft), 50 hours (Total, this make and model), 287 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 4 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft) 

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: CONDOR
Registration: N3502X
Model/Series:CONDOR 
Aircraft Category: Powered Parachute
Year of Manufacture: 2003
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Experimental Light Sport
Serial Number:A114CDR 
Landing Gear Type: Tricycle
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 11/14/2007, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1100 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 89 Hours
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time:  as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Rotax
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series: 582ULDCDI-99
Registered Owner: Conrad William A
Rated Power: 65 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Distance from Accident Site:
Observation Time:
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: Calm /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual:
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual:
Altimeter Setting: 29 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 26°C / 16°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Oneida, WI
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Freedom, WI
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1945 CDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 44.376389, -88.271389 (est)