N5180G

On September 1, 2007, about 0835 Pacific daylight time, an Ayres SR2, N5180G, collided with a fence during takeoff from an open field in Goldendale, Washington. The aircraft (experimental powered parachute) was owned and operated by the student pilot, and it sustained minor damage. The pilot was seriously injured during the solo instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it was originating at the time of the accident.

The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that on July 28, 2007, his certified flight instructor (CFI) had authorized him to fly solo. During the accident flight he was practicing takeoffs and landings from a 40-acre field.

The wind was calm, and the student pilot's first takeoff and landing were uneventful. The pilot stated that prior to commencing the second takeoff he "checked and double checked [the] chute and aircraft. Everything checked out."

The pilot applied engine power and began taking off. The chute did not completely open. The pilot stated to the Safety Board investigator that the chute appeared to be tucked in on the right side, which "caused it to drift to the left side. There were no tangled lines." During the takeoff, the pilot used more runway than usual, and as he was getting close to the end of the runway he elected to abort the takeoff just as he became airborne.

The pilot climbed about 20 feet above the ground, and he observed that he was approaching a fence. The pilot stated that he impacted the fence at full throttle. Thereafter, he landed in a dry creek bed several hundred feet away from the fence.