UNREG

Substantial
Serious

SIX CHUTER SR7 XLS/N: 98-2052

Accident Details

Date
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
NTSB Number
ERA15CA036
Location
Fairview, NC
Event ID
20141031X20109
Coordinates
35.168888, -80.504997
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
1

Probable Cause and Findings

The non-certificated pilot's delayed go-around procedure, which resulted in collision with trees. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of total flying experience.

Aircraft Information

Registration
UNREG
Make
SIX CHUTER
Serial Number
98-2052
Model / ICAO
SR7 XL

Analysis

The non-certificated pilot/owner reported that he was self-taught in his unregistered powered parachute, as he believed it was an "unregulated machine" and had performed 10 flights prior to the accident flight. The pilot stated that he was flying in the evening, it was getting dark, and he feared he would not return to his home airstrip before complete darkness so he decided to perform a precautionary landing in a field. Due to the decreased visibility, and the field conditions, he felt his approach angle was too steep, and initiated a go-around; however, the powered parachute was unable to out-climb the trees at the departure end of the field. The subsequent collision with trees and terrain resulted in substantial damage to the airframe, and serious injury to the pilot/owner, who reported there were no mechanical deficiencies with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA15CA036