Destiny XLT 2000 N103ME

Summary

On 12 August 2012 at about 16:30 local time, a Destiny XLT 2000 registered N103ME, operated by Thomas Eanes, was involved in an accident near Grayson, Georgia, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 August 2012 at 16:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Grayson, Georgia, United States

Coordinates

33.8711, -83.9594

Aircraft

Destiny XLT 2000

Registration

N103ME

Engines

1

Operator

Thomas Eanes

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Grayson → Grayson

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12LA509

1 person was seriously injured.

The non-certificated pilot’s inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot, who recently purchased the powered parachute, stated that he noted that the packed parachute had become wet, so he planned to operate the engine to dry the parachute material. He also stated that he did not check the fuel quantity before starting the engine because he did not intend to fly the aircraft. Because of safety and space concerns, the pilot repositioned the aircraft from his home to a nearby school for the operation. However, the pilot stated that when he started the engine, the wind speed increased, and the powered parachute became airborne. The pilot stated that when he attempted to land, the engine sputtered, then the rpm increased, and then went to idle, which is consistent with fuel starvation. He maneuvered the aircraft toward the side of a road; however, the left rear wheel contacted a telephone line. During postaccident interviews, the pilot stated that he did not believe there was a preimpact mechanical malfunction that would have precluded normal operation and indicated that the amount of fuel in the tank was minimal.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.