Richland, WA, USA
UNREG
Airframes Unlimited Powered Parachute
On the first takeoff attempt to the north the powered parachute did not come up completely, but on the second attempt it did. After becoming airborne the aircraft veered hard to the left, causing the pilot to throttle back and try to land. However, in an attempt to abort the landing the aircraft clipped an overhead light pole with its left tire while trying to go around the pole to the north. The aircraft subsequently impacted the ground and came to rest on its left side. The pilot did not report any anomalies with the aircraft which would have precluded normal operations.
On May 14, 2004, approximately 0735 Pacific daylight time, an unregistered single-engine Airframes Unlimited airplane sustained substantial damage following a loss of control and colliding with an object during takeoff-initial climb near Richland, Washington. The non-certificated pilot received serious injuries, while the sole passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight, which was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight was originating from a private alfalfa field at the time of the accident. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that after his preflight he and his passenger, "...buckled in and I gave [it] full throttle to bring the [parachute] overhead." The pilot further reported that the chute did not come up completely, so he throttled back and after the chute was down he tried it again. The pilot stated, "...this time it came up overhead and looked ok. I went full throttle for takeoff and after about 75 feet we were airborne." The pilot related that the "machine" then took a very hard left turn which caused him to throttle back and try to land. The pilot reported, "It looked like we would roll if we touched down, so I tried to stay up. There was an overhead light in front of us and I clipped my left tire on it and we came down and knocked down the pole." The aircraft impacted the ground, coming to rest on its left side. The pilot did not report any anomalies with the aircraft prior to the flight which would have precluded normal operations. The pilot reported that damage to the aircraft included the airframe being bent and twisted and the propeller blades being broken. At 0753, an automated weather reporting station located at the Tri-Cities Airport (PSC), Pasco, Washington, located 10 nautical miles southeast of the accident site reported wind 320 degrees at 5 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 14 degrees C, dew point 7 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.14 inches of Mercury.
The failure of the non-certificated pilot to maintain clearance from a pole while maneuvering. Factors contributing to the accident included the loss of directional control and the pole.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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