Southern Powered Parachute Condor

Full Narrative

On December 25, 2011, about 1500 central standard time, a Southern Powered Parachute Condor, a two-seat powered parachute, sustained substantial damage when it impacted the tops of trees and then impacted the terrain during takeoff from a private airstrip near Rogersville, Missouri. The unlicensed pilot received serious injuries and the passenger received minor injuries. The pilot owned and operated the powered parachute, but it was unregistered and did not have an “N” number. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The powered parachute was departing on a local flight.

The pilot preflighted the powered parachute and completed the necessary engine run prior to takeoff from the grass airstrip. The pilot reported that during the takeoff climb, 2 – 4 of the lines that were attached to the leading and aft edges of the parachute got stuck together, possibly by some straw, which caused the powered parachute to turn hard to the left. He pumped the left rudder pedal tube to try to get the lines to come apart. The lines came apart and the powered parachute started to fly straight ahead. However, the pilot was unable to get the powered parachute to clear the trees that were in his flight path. The powered parachute hit about three feet from the top of the trees, descended uncontrolled, and impacted the ground.

The pilot was not a certificated pilot. He reported that he had been flying for about 11 years and had flown about 180 hours total with about 35 hours in the accident powered parachute. The pilot purchased the powered parachute 2 – 3 years prior to the accident, and did not register it as a light-sport aircraft.