Amateur-built PREDATOR accident near Branson, Missouri, October 6, 2008
On October 6, 2008 at about 12:19 pm local time, a amateur-built PREDATOR (powered parachute), registered N868S, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Branson, Missouri (Private Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was the wing's failure to open all cells for undetermined reasons and the trees near the runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 6, 2008 · about 12:19 pm local time
- Place
- Branson, Missouri · Private Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built PREDATOR
- Registration
- N868S · no longer on the register · serial E068S
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The student pilot was taking off from a grass field in a powered parachute when all cells of the wing did not fully open, causing the aircraft to veer right. All cells of the wing then inflated and the aircraft became airborne. Shortly after takeoff the pilot hit a tree and impacted the ground. The cart frame was bent and the pilot sustained serious injuries.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) during takeoff
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb
The NTSB's findings
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Wing structure › (general) › Not specified
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Dual student
- Certificate: student
- Ratings: rotorcraft: powered-lift
- Flight time: 30 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 30 in the last 90 days
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 40 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 1,050 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: N/A Branson MO at 12:10 pm
- Destination: N/A Branson MO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 06
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 11:53 am from khro
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.