Aircraft Accident/Incident Report

Coldspring, Texas 77331
Monday, July 4, 2011 7:25 CDT

NTSB Narrative Summary Released at Completion of Accident

During initial climb the powered-parachute experienced an unexplained loss of altitude as it passed over a tree line that bordered the hayfield used for the takeoff. The airframe was substantially damaged as it impacted trees and the roof of an occupied residence and fell to the ground. No one on the ground was injured. According to the pilot there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the powered parachute and the engine produced full power throughout the event.

NTSB Probable Cause Narrative

The pilot's inadequate consideration of obstructions on his flight path and inability to maintain altitude following an unexplained loss of lift.

Event Information

Type of Event Accident
Event Date 7/4/2011
Event Day of the Week Monday
Time of Event 725
Event Time Zone Central Daylight Time
Event City Coldspring
Event State TEXAS
Event Country --
Zipcode of the event site 77331
Event Date Year 2011
Event Date Month 7
MidAir Collision Indicator No
On Ground Collision occurred ? No
Event Location Latitude 303435N
Event Location Longitude 0950711W
Event Location Airport --
Event Location Nearest Airport ID --
Indicates whether the acc/inc occurred off or on an airport Off Airport/Airstrip
Distance from airport in statute miles 0
Degrees magnetic from airport --
Airport Elevation 330
Weather Briefing Completeness --
Investigator's weather source Pilot
Time of the weather observation 700 Central Daylight Time
Direction of event from weather observation facility (degrees) 330
Weather Observation Facility ID --
Elevation of weather observation facility 150
Distance of event from weather observation facility (units?) 1
Time Zone of the weather observation CDT
Lighting Conditions Day
Lowest Ceiling Height --
Lowest Non-Ceiling Height --
Sky/Lowest/Cloud Conditions Clear
Sky Condition for Lowest Ceiling None
Visibility Runway Visual Range (Feet) --
Visibility Runway Visual Value (Statute Miles) --
Visibility (Statute Miles) 7
Air Temperature at event time (in degrees celsius) 26
Dew Point at event time (in degress fahrenheit) --
Wind Direction (degrees magnetic) 220
Variable Wind Indicator Wind direction could be determined
Wind Speed (knots) 2
Wind Velocity Indicator --
Wind Gust Indicator Not Gusting
Wind Gust (knots) --
Altimeter Setting at event time (in. Hg) 29.97
Density Altitude (feet) --
Intensity of Precipitation --
METAR weather report METAR K6R3 041315Z AUTO 19003KT 10SM CLR 26/22 A29
Event Highest Injury Minor
On Ground, Fatal Injuries --
On Ground, Minor Injuries --
On Ground, Serious Injuries --
Injury Total Fatal --
Injury Total Minor 2
Injury Total None --
Injury Total Serious --
Injury Total All 2
Investigating Agency NTSB
NTSB Docket Number (internal use) 28862
NTSB Notification Source FAA ASW Regional Comm Center -
NTSB Notification Date --
NTSB Notification Time --
Fiche Number and/or location -used to find docket information --
Date of most recent change to record Aug 30 2011 9:06PM
User who most recently changed record latt
Basic weather conditions Visual Meteorological Cond
FAA District Office --

Aircraft Involved

Aircraft #1

Aircraft Registration Number N5358Z
NTSB Number CEN11CA445
Missing Aircraft Indicator --
Federal Aviation Reg. Part Part 91: General Aviation
Type of Flight Plan filed None
Flight plan Was Activated? No
Damage Substantial
Aircraft Fire None
Aircraft Explosion None
Aircraft Manufacturer's Full Name SKYTRAILS LSA
Aircraft Model Predator
Aircraft Series Identifier --
Aircraft Serial Number P582E40201
Certified Max Gross Weight 1150
Aircraft Category --
Aircraft Registration Class --
Aircraft is a homebuilt? No
Flight Crew Seats --
Cabin Crew Seats --
Passenger Seats --
Total number of seats on the aircraft 2
Number of Engines 1
Fixed gear or retractable gear Fixed
Aircraft, Type of Last Inspection Conditional
Date of Last Inspection Apr 28 2011 12:00AM
Airframe hours since last inspection 38
Airframe Hours 38
ELT Installed No
ELT Activated Unknown
ELT Aided Location of Event Site Unknown
ELT Type --
Aircraft Owner Name BRUCE W BYNUM
Aircraft Owner Street Address --
Aircraft Owner City KATY
Aircraft Owner State TX
Aircraft Owner Country USA
Aircraft Owner Zipcode 77494-7079
Operator is an individual? Yes
Operator Name BRUCE W BYNUM
Operator Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Is Doing Business As --
Operator Address Same as Owner? Yes
Operator Street Address --
Operator City KATY
Operator State TX
Operator Country USA
Operator Zip code 77494-7079
Operator Code --
Owner has at least one certificate None
Other Operator of large aircraft? No
Certified for Part 133 or 137 Operation --
Operator Certificate Number --
Indicates whether an air carrier operation was scheduled or not --
Indicates Domestic or International Flight --
Operator carrying Pax/Cargo/Mail --
Type of Flying (Per_Bus / Primary) Personal
Second Pilot on Board No
Departure Point Same as Event Yes
Departure Airport Code --
Departure City Coldspring
Departure State TX
Departure Country USA
Departure Time 725
Departure Time Zone CDT
Destination Same as Local Flt dest & departure same, accident can occur anywhere
Destination Airport Code --
Destination City Coldspring
Destination State TX
Destination Country USA
Specific Phase of Flight --
Report sent to ICAO? --
Evacuation occurred --
Date of most recent change to record Aug 10 2011 10:38AM
User who most recently changed record latt
Since inspection or accident --
Event Location Runway Number and Location 19
Runway Length 1000
Runway Width 100
Sight Seeing flight No
Air Medical Flight No
Medical Flight --