NTSB Factual Report

On May 23, 2015, about 1430 pacific daylight time, a Destiny 2000 powered parachute, N3376, impacted terrain during the initial climb from a field near Eltopia, Washington. The flight instructor sustained minor injuries, and the student pilot sustained serious injuries. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the instructional flight, which was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

According to the flight instructor, the aircraft experienced left to right oscillations during the takeoff roll and initial climb, and about 15 feet above ground level, the parachute rotated sharply downward and to the right. The aircraft impacted terrain in a right bank and nose-low attitude. The student pilot was at the flight controls for the entire duration of the flight, and stated in a postaccident interview that he did not make any abrupt control inputs during the takeoff or initial climb. The flight instructor stated that dual flight controls were not installed, and he could not reach the throttle lever.

The flight instructor provided a video recording of the accident sequence, which was filmed by an observer on the ground. The footage depicted the accident aircraft experiencing left to right wing oscillations throughout the takeoff roll and the rotation. During the initial climb, the oscillations continued and the aircraft rolled sharply downward and to the right, eventually moving out of the video recorders view.

The flight instructor stated there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. In addition, he reported that he was monitoring all parachute lines during the takeoff roll and initial climb, and observed no line-overs or any other abnormalities that would have adversely affected the parachute's steering mechanism.

The reported winds at an airport 11 nautical miles away about the time of the accident were from 210 degrees true at 7 knots. The flight instructor reported that he observed a steady direct headwind about 4 to 7 knots before takeoff. During the video, about one minute before the accident powered parachute lifted off, an observer could be heard stating, "The wind has basically come down to nothing."

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

According to the Federal Aviation Administration Powered Parachute Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-29), "An oscillating wing forced into takeoff will most likely roll the airframe," and "if the oscillations become too severe, it is best to abort the takeoff and set up again." The handbook additionally states, "Dual controls are required in the aircraft for training."

NTSB Probable Cause

The flight instructor’s failure to tell the student pilot to abort the takeoff after the powered parachute experienced wing oscillations, which resulted in the student pilot’s loss of aircraft control during initial climb and subsequent impact with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the flight instructor's decision to conduct training in a powered parachute without dual flight controls.