Grazhopper TRIKE accident near Ottawa, IL
On June 24, 2014, a Grazhopper TRIKE was involved in an accident near Ottawa, IL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- June 24, 2014
- Place
- Ottawa, IL
- Aircraft
- Grazhopper TRIKE · PPAR
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 41.391°N, 88.787°W
- NTSB ID
- 20140624X45539
Official records · CEN14LA316
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn June 23, 2014, about 2100 central daylight time, an unregistered powered parachute with a two-seat trike airframe, was substantially damaged after impacting the surface of the water on the Fox River near Ottawa, Illinois. The pilot sustained minor injuries and the passenger was fatally injured. The powered parachute was operated by a private individual. Visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The powered parachute had departed Skydive Chicago Airport (8N2), Ottawa, Illinois about 2040 for a local flight. The pilot reported that the passenger on the accident flight had been pushing the pilot to fly at a lower altitude and closer to the river and the spillway on the dam. While flying downstream through mist over the dam at an altitude of about 50 feet above ground level the engine suddenly quit. Following the loss of engine power the pilot was unable to fly to a nearby shoreline and impacted the surface of the turbulent flood waters just below the dam. After hitting the water the parachute canopy flew over and covered the top of the airframe which was then submerged or partially submerged. The pilot estimated that had he had been underwater for about 15 seconds before he was able to unfasten his harness and get himself free. The fast flowing water current then carried the pilot downstream. One person reported that he didn't see the accident, but he remembered hearing the powered parachute flying in the area and the engin
Probable cause
The noncertificated pilot’s improper decision to operate the powered-parachute at low altitude through mist in a confined area while he was impaired by multiple sedating medications, which resulted in his loss of control of the parachute and subsequent impact with water.
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Browse: Illinois
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
