Overview
On September 20, 2023, at about 0910 mountain daylight time, a Powrachute LLC Airwolf 912ULS powered parachute, registration N820PP, sustained substantial damage during an incident at Parkland Airport (7CO0), near Erie, Colorado. The pilot, who was operating the aircraft under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 for a personal flight, sustained fatal injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board did not classify the event as an accident, as the pilot likely did not intend to fly the aircraft at the time of the incident.
Sequence of Events
Security camera footage showed the aircraft stationed near the airport's fuel farm. The pilot was seen fueling the aircraft and starting the engine. While attempting to enter the right side of the aircraft, the pilot inadvertently sat on the throttle control, bending it into the full throttle position. The pilot was not secured with the four-point restraint system. The aircraft then departed across the airport, entered a grass field, impacted terrain, and cartwheeled, ejecting the pilot. The aircraft came to rest upright in a nose-high attitude in the grass field. The pilot was transported to a local hospital and succumbed to his injuries several hours later. No witnesses were reported; an individual at the airport contacted first responders after observing the wreckage.
Examination Findings
The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and airframe tubing. Flight control and engine control continuity were confirmed. The bent throttle control was found in the full throttle position, connected intact but bent. No fluid leaks were observed. Both four-point restraint systems were found stowed and latched closed. The ignition key was in the on position. The wing was found folded and not deployed. No mechanical issues with the airframe or engine were noted during the onsite examination.
The pilot's flight helmet and headset were found in his pickup truck, parked next to the fuel farm, with the driver's side door open. The pilot's flight log and aircraft maintenance records were not available.
Toxicology and Medical Findings
A private forensic pathologist performed an autopsy for the Weld County Coroner's Office. The cause of death was multiple blunt injuries, and the manner of death was accident. The autopsy identified a small white metal medical device within the ventricular chamber without leads; no other heart abnormalities were noted. Toxicological testing by NMS Labs detected fentanyl at 0.9 ng/mL in postmortem blood. FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute testing detected tramadol (360 ng/mL in blood, 2119 ng/mL in urine), N-desmethyltramadol (detected in blood and 322 ng/mL in urine), O-desmethyltramadol (107 ng/mL in blood, 1516 ng/mL in urine), etomidate, and albuterol in blood and urine. Tramadol is a prescription opioid; its use may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and reduced alertness. O-desmethyltramadol is the main active metabolite of tramadol. Etomidate is an intravenous anesthetic agent. Fentanyl is a prescription opioid.
Safety Advisory
Powrachute LLC issued Airwolf 912ULS Safety Advisory POW-SB-09-25-23-5 on September 25, 2023. The advisory discusses the accident aircraft and states that the Airwolf powered parachute has demonstrated the potential to accelerate at a dangerously high rate of speed on the ground under certain circumstances. It provides safety guidance for ground operations, starting procedure, throttle control, and taxi speed control.