History of Flight
On April 1, 2012, about 0800 eastern daylight time, a Powrachute LLC Airwolf 912ULS, registration N415BA, struck trees and terrain during an attempted takeoff from Blackwater Creek Ultralight Flightpark (9FD2) in Plant City, Florida. The certificated sport pilot/flight instructor sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
The flight instructor was conducting an introductory powered parachute flight. The powered parachute had been on static display at an air show the previous day, so the instructor took extra care during the preflight inspection. He noted the throttle was in the full open position, the keys were missing, and the battery was disconnected. After completing the inspection and briefing the passenger, the instructor prepared to depart and made a final check of the parachute lines and layout. The powered parachute was set up adjacent to a turf runway, oriented toward the southeast, with a planned departure to the south.
After starting the engine, the instructor kited the parachute, checked for proper inflation, and checked for other traffic. He then increased engine power for takeoff and began pushing on the foot bars to turn the powered parachute away from trees that ran parallel to the runway. Once the wheels left the ground, the instructor continued pushing the foot bars to turn away from the trees, but the steering lines were fully extended, preventing him from changing the parachute shape enough to turn right. He then attempted to pump the steering lines to fill the parachute with more air and increase climb performance. The vehicle struck the treetops, stopping its forward travel, and after a momentary suspension, fell to the ground, resulting in serious injury to the passenger.
Personnel Information
The flight instructor held a sport pilot certificate with an endorsement for powered parachute land and a flight instructor certificate with a sport rating and powered parachute land endorsement. He reported 314 total hours of flight experience, all in the accident make and model.
Meteorological Information
Weather at Plant City Airport (PCM), about 8 nautical miles south of the accident site, at 0755 included visibility 7 statute miles, scattered clouds at 1,700 feet, calm winds, temperature and dewpoint 17°C, and an altimeter setting of 29.96 inches of mercury.
Airport Information
Blackwater Creek Ultralight Flightpark had a single 2,300-foot-long by 150-foot-wide turf runway oriented 17/35. Aircraft parking was on the west side, extending about 300 feet north and south from the runway midpoint. Trees about 75 feet tall ran parallel to the runway along its eastern edge. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector identified the setup area as about 300 feet west of the runway centerline at roughly the midpoint.
Wreckage and Impact Information
An FAA inspector examined the wreckage at the scene. All parachute canopy and trim lines were secure with no anomalies. The engine appeared intact with no obvious pre-impact failure. One of three propeller blades was missing its tip. Several support tubes were broken consistent with impact. After viewing video of the accident, the inspector returned on April 4 and found the left trim line exhibited noticeably more slack than the right trim line.
Additional Information
The manufacturer's pilot operating handbook preflight checklist included inspection of the on-ground and in-flight directional steering systems, advising to check that the foot bar is secure, pivots freely, steering line in good order, pulleys in good order, and trim system secure and in proper takeoff position. The FAA Powered Parachute Flying Handbook described that the takeoff surface should be firm, free of debris, and without obstructions along the takeoff path, with sufficient length to allow quick acceleration to normal flight speed.
Videos of the accident flight were recorded by the passenger's spouse, standing at the runway midpoint on the eastern edge, and by a camera installed on the powered parachute. The exterior video showed the powered parachute rolling toward the runway as the parachute inflated. Engine sound remained constant until just before the runway's western edge, when it increased and the vehicle accelerated. After crossing the western edge, the nosewheel left the ground, followed by the main landing gear about 1 second later. The vehicle tracked southeasterly down the runway toward the eastern edge. The onboard video confirmed the FAA inspector's observation of relative slack between the left and right steering lines.