Powrachute AIRWOLF 912 N377JA

Summary

On 15 September 2010 at about 20:10 local time, a Powrachute AIRWOLF 912 registered N377JA, operated by Ricks Walter G III, was involved in an accident near Pleasant Garden, North Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 September 2010 at 20:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Pleasant Garden, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

35.9519, -79.7231

Aircraft

Powrachute AIRWOLF 912

Registration

N377JA

Engines

1

Operator

Ricks Walter G III

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pleasant Garden → Pleasant Garden

Aircraft damage

Not recorded

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10CA480

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot's loss of directional control on takeoff during an encounter with a wind gust.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot of the powered parachute stated that, prior to the flight, he set up a wind sock in a pasture comprised of hilly terrain and lined by trees. Before beginning his takeoff, the wind sock indicated that the wind was calm. During the takeoff, the powered parachute encountered a gust of wind and was blown left where it collided with bushes. As a result of the impact, the vertical front support tube received structural damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.