Incident Details
A powered parachute accident occurred during takeoff from a pasture in hilly terrain surrounded by trees. The pilot reported that after setting up a windsock, which indicated calm winds, the aircraft began its takeoff roll. During the takeoff, the parachute encountered a gust of wind, causing it to drift left and collide with bushes. The collision resulted in structural damage to the vertical front support tube. The pilot stated that no mechanical problems with the powered parachute were present.
Pilot Report
The pilot, who was operating the powered parachute, provided a detailed account of the event. According to the pilot, the windsock had been placed in the pasture prior to the flight and showed no significant wind before departure. As the takeoff commenced, a sudden gust of wind affected the aircraft's trajectory, pushing it leftward into the bushes. The pilot attributed the accident to this unexpected gust.
Weather Conditions
The nearest weather reporting facility, located 14 miles northwest of the accident site, reported no wind gusts at the time of the accident. However, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector who responded to the scene confirmed the pilot's description of gusty wind conditions at the location. The discrepancy between the local conditions and the distant reporting station highlights the variable nature of wind in the hilly, tree-lined terrain.
Aircraft Damage
The powered parachute sustained structural damage to its vertical front support tube as a result of the collision with the bushes. No other damage was reported. The aircraft was not equipped with a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder, as is typical for such light sport aircraft. The post-accident inspection by the FAA inspector focused on the damage and the pilot's account.