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GAA16CA526

2016-09-24 · ARCADIA, Florida, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport X06

Current FAA registration · N149SC

Make / Model
SIX CHUTER INC LEGEND XL
Year of manufacture
2011 · 5 years old at event
Engine
ROTAX 582E (65 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20110408
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A0C5B2

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s decision to take off in high-density altitude conditions, which resulted in the powered parachute being unable to maintain a sufficient climb rate and its subsequent impact with power lines.

Factual narrative

The pilot of the powered parachute reported that the flight got started later in the day than he had planned and that the temperature and relative humidity had risen. He further reported that during the initial climb the powered parachute was unable to gain sufficient lift to maintain a climb rate required to clear nearby power lines. Subsequently, the powered parachute stuck the power lines. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage to its tubular frame. The pilot reported that the air temperature at the time of the accident was 94 degrees Fahrenheit, with a density altitude of 1,800 feet. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot of the powered parachute reported that the flight got started later in the day than he had planned and that the temperature and relative humidity had risen. He further reported that during the initial climb the powered parachute was unable to gain sufficient lift to maintain a climb rate required to clear nearby power lines. Subsequently, the powered parachute struck the power lines. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage to its tubular frame. The pilot reported that the air temperature at the time of the accident was 94 degrees Fahrenheit, with a density altitude of 1,800 feet. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Climb rate-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Wire-Effect on operation - C
  • C Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-High density altitude-Decision related to condition - C
  • — Environmental issues-Conditions/weather/phenomena-Temp/humidity/pressure-High density altitude-Effect on operation

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2016_GAA16CA526.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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