Apco Powered Parachute accident near Wolf Point, MT
On June 29, 2004, an Apco Powered Parachute was involved in an accident near Wolf Point, MT. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- June 29, 2004
- Place
- Wolf Point, MT
- Aircraft
- Apco Powered Parachute · PPAR
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 47.902°N, 105.641°W
- NTSB ID
- 20040702X00904
NTSB summary
On June 28, 2004, approximately 2030 mountain daylight time, an unregistered single-engine APCO airplane was destroyed following a loss of control while maneuvering near Wolf Point, Montana. The non-certificated pilot and his sole passenger were fatally 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 originated from a private airstrip south of Wolf Point at approximately 2010. In a telephone interview with the NTSB investigator-in-charge (IIC), a family member who had just been given a ride prior to the accident flight reported that the pilot made some turns that she didn't feel comfortable with. She further stated that she "vaguely remembered" the pilot relating to her previously that there was a way to make the aircraft "turn quicker" if he "pulled harder on some of the cables that control the parachute." The family member reported that while watching the next flight, which she estimated to be 500 feet above ground level, the aircraft began some tight turns and losing altitude before impacting the ground. Fire erupted and the aircraft was consumed. In an written statement provided to the IIC, a flight instructor who was qualified to give instruction in the aircraft reported that he met with the pilot in November of 2003, "...to look at the aircraft and give him some basic [ground] instruction on how to fly the powered parachute." The instructor stated that he told the pilot that he needed more instruction before he would be able to fly the aircraft. The instructo
Probable cause
The pilot's loss of control as a result of trying a low altitude quick turning maneuver. A factor was the pilot's lack of experience in the aircraft.
More accidents in MT
- Pilatus PC-12/45, Mar 22, 2009
- Beech D18S, Jul 5, 1987
- Cessna 550, Dec 18, 1992
- Beech V35B, Jun 24, 1982
- Cessna 182C, May 12, 2007
Browse: Montana
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
