Destiny XLT UNREG

Summary

On 4 August 2009 at about 23:30 local time, a Destiny XLT registered UNREG was involved in an accident near Athens, Georgia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 August 2009 at 23:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Athens, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

34.1069, -83.4381

Aircraft

Destiny XLT

Registration

UNREG

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Athens → Athens

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA09CA445

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain obstacle clearance during climbout.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The unregistered experimental powered parachute, that was being piloted by a non certificated pilot, impacted trees at the edge of a pasture during takeoff in visual meteorological conditions and calm winds. According to the passenger, two previous attempts to take off failed during the take off roll due to the parachute "falling over." The pilot then decided to take off in a direction perpendicular to the previous two attempts. The passenger added that they had used this direction several times in the past and typically would clear the treeline at the edge of the pasture by about 55 feet; however, on this attempt, the aircraft was approximately halfway across the pasture before it began to lift off. When it reached the treeline, the aircraft grazed the top of the trees. The parachute collapsed, and the aircraft impacted the ground in a near vertical descent. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact failures, and the passenger did not notice any issues with the engine during the takeoff. The pilot was not available for comment. A Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) was not received.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.