The powered parachute pilot reported that, during takeoff from a hayfield, the wind was from the southwest at 6 mph and he departed to the southwest. He added that, once airborne, the climb rate was “slower than normal” and he began a 180° left turn.
On the “downwind,” the climb rate reduced to “zero” and the powered parachute started descending. He realized he did not have enough altitude to complete the 180° turn.
The powered parachute hit the top rail of a fence near Elizabeth, Colorado. He shut the magnetos off and, after hitting a second fence, hit the ground.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation.
The automated weather observation station located about 16 miles northwest of the accident reported that, about seven minutes before the accident, the wind was from 020° at 9 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from 245° at 6 knots and the density altitude was “6,800+” feet.
Probable Cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his subsequent decision to initiate a turn, which resulted in the powered parachute’s descent and impact with a fence.
This was a pilot with 10K hours and density altitude for a low-powered vehicle should have been an obvious threat?
This April 2019 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
“density altitude for a low-powered vehicle should have been an obvious threat?” The density altitude was only about 5 to 6 percent above the elevation of the hayfield (assuming that is about the same as the town’s elevation) where he had operated for the past 4 years, so it doesn’t appear that density altitude was a factor. In the pilot report, the pilot discusses some issues he had with an early power application not allowing the chute to “kite-up” and he said the chute got “locked” in the prop wash.