History of Flight
On September 12, 2019, at about 0945 central daylight time, an Infinity Powered Parachutes IPP2 powered parachute (PPC), registration N6035L, was involved in an accident near Eustace, Texas. The private pilot sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight.
According to the pilot's wife, she heard the PPC flying in the local area several times after takeoff near their property; the PPC then departed the area. One witness observed the PPC flying "erratic" and low, about 10 to 15 ft above trees and power lines. The witness reported that the pilot appeared to have control and no mechanical issues were evident. Another witness saw the PPC flying "extremely low" just above trees and power lines, surmising the pilot was looking for a place to land. This witness noted the canopy was "full" and no mechanical issues were apparent. A third witness, a neighbor, saw the PPC fly over his property, turn south, and disappear from view. He heard two "snapping sounds" followed by an impact. He responded to the site and found the pilot upside down and unconscious inside the cart, with a wire wrapped around the pilot and the cart.
Personnel Information
The pilot did not hold an active Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical certificate. His last FAA medical examination was on July 11, 1997. At that time, he reported no active medical conditions or medications, though he had previously reported hypertension. He was issued a third-class medical certificate with a requirement to wear corrective lenses; it expired on July 30, 1999.
Wreckage and Impact Information
An FAA aviation safety inspector (ASI) responded to the accident site. The PPC came to rest on its left side in a flat, open grass field, but was moved upright by first responders. The left side of the PPC impacted the ground about 100 ft east of a separated wire. The debris path indicated the PPC was on an easterly heading between the wire and the impact site. The cart sustained substantial damage to its metal tubing. About one-quarter of a tank of fuel was present, and the fuel tank was intact.
All components of the cart and engine were at the site. Control continuity was established, and examination revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures. A review of maintenance records showed no uncorrected mechanical discrepancies.
The separated wire was approximately 1/4 inch in diameter, consistent with steel, and estimated to be about 29 ft above ground near the field. It had separated from a utility pole and was displaced toward the PPC's resting site. The wire did not have aerial markers and was not required to have them.
Medical and Pathological Information
An autopsy conducted by American Forensics in Mesquite, Texas, attributed the pilot's death to multiple blunt force injuries and hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The autopsy found greater than 99% stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery, an enlarged heart with dilated ventricles, and cavitary brain lesions consistent with old ischemic stroke.
Toxicology tests performed by the FAA's Forensic Sciences Laboratory detected hydrocodone, dihydrocodeine, hydromorphone, carvedilol, atorvastatin, amlodipine, salicylate, and acetaminophen in various specimens. Additional testing by NMS Labs confirmed hydrocodone and hydromorphone in femoral blood.
The pilot's personal medical records indicated high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis, a prior stroke with visual deficit, and multiple surgeries. As of August 2019, he was taking hydrocodone/acetaminophen, blood pressure medications (carvedilol, losartan, amlodipine), cholesterol medication (atorvastatin), anti-inflammatory medications (meloxicam, aspirin), and supplements.
Additional Information
The FAA Powered Parachute Flying Handbook discusses complacency, noting that external distractions can reduce situational awareness and lead to accidents due to failure to see obstructions like power lines. Federal Aviation Regulation 14 CFR Part 91.119 specifies minimum safe altitudes, including 500 ft above the surface over other than congested areas, except over open water or sparsely populated areas where aircraft must not operate closer than 500 ft to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.