WPR13LA135

The noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control after encountering shifting wind, which resulted in collision with a windsock.

A witness located adjacent to the accident site reported that the powered parachute took off to the north into the wind. The witness reported that, shortly after the wheels lifted off the ground, the wind shifted from the north to the south-southeast and that the powered parachute veered to the east. Subsequently, the parachute cables struck a windsock, and the powered parachute impacted the ground. The wife of the noncertificated pilot reported that he did not recall anything about the accident sequence.

On February 25, 2013, about 1030 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur built Summit II, N8028X, was substantially damaged during takeoff at a private airport near Quartzsite, Arizona. The powered parachute was registered to a private individual, and operated by the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The non-certificated pilot and his passenger were seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. In a written statement, a witness located near the accident site reported that the pilot was taking off in a northerly direction. Shortly after the wheels lifted off the ground, the wind shifted from the north to the south-southeast. The witness stated that the powered parachute veered to the east, and was under full power and ascending. Subsequently, the parachute cables struck a windsock, and the powered parachute impacted the ground. During a telephone conversation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge (IIC), the wife of the pilot reported that the pilot did not recall anything prior to or the accident sequence. Examination of the powered parachute by local law enforcement revealed that the airframe structure was substantially damaged.