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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 14, 2014 · Six Chuter SR7 XL · UNREG

Fairview, NC

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 14, 2014
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Fairview, NC
Aircraft
Six Chuter SR7 XL
Tail Number
UNREG
Operator
Paul Dowdey
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA15CA036

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.

NTSB Probable Cause

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.

Full Narrative

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.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:47 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftSix Chuter SR7 XL
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryPpar
DamageSubstantial
OperatorPaul Dowdey
Operating RulePart 91

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 47 · None · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightBright Night
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 2400 ft
Temperature / Dew Point70 F
Altimeter29.12 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data