ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 228979
This information is added by users of ASN. Neither ASN nor the Flight Safety Foundation are responsible for the completeness or correctness of this information.
If you feel this information is incomplete or incorrect, you can submit corrected information.
| Date: | Thursday 12 September 2019 |
| Time: | 08:45 LT |
| Type: | Infinity Power Parachute |
| Owner/operator: | Private |
| Registration: | N6035L |
| MSN: | IPP2-105 |
| Year of manufacture: | 2002 |
| Engine model: | Rotax 582 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 1 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Henderson County, Eustace, TX -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | Eustace, TX |
| Eustace, TX | |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
Witnesses observed the powered parachute (PPC) flying about 10 to 15 ft above trees and power lines and said the pilot appeared to be in control of the PPC, the parachute canopy appeared 'full,' and there did not appear to be any mechanical issues.
One of the witnesses, who was a neighbor to the pilot, reported observing the PPC fly over his property and then turn south and disappear from his view. He reported it sounded like the pilot tried to apply additional power to the engine and there were two "snapping sounds" followed by the sound of an impact. He responded to the accident site and observed a wire wrapped around the pilot and the cart. None of the witnesses observed the accident occur.
Postaccident examination of the PPC revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The PPC had an adequate amount of fuel onboard. Wreckage signatures were consistent with a wire strike. It is likely the pilot failed to maintain clearance from a wire during the low-level flight, which resulted in a wire strike and an impact with terrain.
Medical evidence showed that the pilot's risk of impairment and incapacitation was elevated due to heart disease, prior stroke, and prescription opioid use but did not establish whether he was impaired or incapacitated. There was no operational evidence that the pilot lost control of the PPC or that it was unusual for him to fly so low in the vicinity of hazards. Thus, whether medical factors contributed to the accident could not be determined. The accident is consistent with the pilot failing to see and avoid a power line while flying at a low altitude.
Probable Cause: The pilot's failure to see and avoid a power line. Contributing was the pilot's decision to fly at an altitude too low to avoid obstacles.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB CEN19LA316
FAA register: https://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=N6035L
Location
Media:
NTSB is investigating the Sept. 12, 2019 accident in Eustace, TX involving an Infinity Powered Parachute.
— NTSB_Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) September 12, 2019
A para-glider accident left a man dead on the scene Thursday morning in Henderson County. https://t.co/jIssAHR5Xr
— Athens Daily Review (@AthReview) September 12, 2019
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 12-Sep-2019 20:00 | Captain Adam | Added |
| 12-Sep-2019 20:06 | Captain Adam | Updated [Registration, Cn, Source, Embed code] |
| 12-Sep-2019 20:52 | Geno | Updated [Time, Source] |
| 13-Sep-2019 09:26 | Iceman 29 | Updated [Embed code] |
| 01-Jul-2022 17:01 | ASN Update Bot | Updated [Time, Other fatalities, Departure airport, Destination airport, Source, Embed code, Narrative, Category, Accident report] |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
Quick Links:
| ASN Home | Send Correction / Feedback |
| FSF Home | Disclaimer | Copyright |
| Contact Us | Privacy Policy |
| Press / Media |
CONNECT WITH US:
©2024 Flight Safety Foundation