Summary
On September 07, 2009, a Six Chuter SR 7 (UNREG) was involved in an accident near Hooper, UT. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate airspeed for the powered parachute while maneuvering at a low altitude.
On September 7, 2009, about 1510 mountain daylight time, a Six Chuter SR7 unregistered experimental powered parachute aircraft was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Hooper, Utah. The aircraft was owned and operated by the non certificated pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Two people located on the ground sustained serious injuries and four people located on the ground sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR09LA442. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft UNREG.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain an adequate airspeed for the powered parachute while maneuvering at a low altitude.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On September 7, 2009, about 1510 mountain daylight time, a Six Chuter SR7 unregistered experimental powered parachute aircraft was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain while maneuvering near Hooper, Utah. The aircraft was owned and operated by the non certificated pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot and his passenger sustained minor injuries. Two people located on the ground sustained serious injuries and four people located on the ground sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The local flight originated from a field adjacent to the accident site about 10 minutes prior to the accident.
In written statements by the pilot and passenger, provided by local law enforcement officials, the pilot reported that they were conducting a flight over the Hooper Tomato Days annual event to throw candy to a crowd of spectators. The pilot stated that while flying on a westerly heading, he passed over a series of power lines and the passenger “started dumping candy.” The pilot further stated that he “lost lift” and “could not recover.” Subsequently, the aircraft impacted terrain within the crowd of spectators and rolled over.
A completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1) was not received from the pilot.
Examination of the powered parachute by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the powered parachute frame sustained structural damage.
Video footage of the accident sequence was obtained by local law enforcement officials. Review of a video by the Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC) revealed that the powered parachute overflew a set of power lines and began descending toward the field. As the powered parachute approached the field with spectators, a slight pitch up movement was observed. Subsequently, the powered parachute pitched downward followed by an increase in engine noise prior to impacting the ground.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR09LA442