Powrachute SKY RASCAL UNREG

Summary

On 30 March 2012 at about 01:35 local time, a Powrachute SKY RASCAL registered UNREG, operated by Paul Harrison, was involved in an accident near Indio, California, 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

30 March 2012 at 01:35

Classification

Accident

Location

Indio, California, United States

Coordinates

33.7442, -116.2339

Aircraft

Powrachute SKY RASCAL

Registration

UNREG

Engines

1

Operator

Paul Harrison

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Indio → Indio

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12LA149

1 person was seriously injured.

The operation of an airplane by a non-certificated pilot. Contributing to the accident was the non-certificated pilot's failure to maintain clearance from powerlines during initial climb in gusty wind conditions.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The non-certificated pilot reported that he waited for the wind to subside before taking off. The pilot said that when the wind subsided, he departed, but during the initial climb, the powered parachute encountered either a downdraft or a gust of wind and collided with a set of powerlines. The powered parachute was subsequently consumed by fire after becoming entangled in the wires. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the aircraft that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.