Powrachute PEGASUS N580PG

Summary

On 4 October 2012 at about 22:15 local time, a Powrachute PEGASUS registered N580PG, operated by Robert Branch, was involved in an accident near Cumming, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

4 October 2012 at 22:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Cumming, Georgia, United States

Nearest airport

Ebeneezer Airport (4GA9)

Coordinates

34.2386, -84.0542

Aircraft

Powrachute PEGASUS

Registration

N580PG

Engines

1

Operator

Robert Branch

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Cumming → Cumming

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA13CA009

1 person had minor injuries.

The operation of the powered parachute by a non-certificated pilot, and his failure to maintain directional control during the initial climb, which resulted in a collision with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot of the powered parachute reported that he aborted his first takeoff because the riser lines to the canopy became entangled. During the subsequent takeoff, the powered parachute encountered a "gust of wind" from the left, and the craft was pushed into trees on the right of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe and canopy. After the accident, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation of the powered parachute.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.