Powrachute Airwolf 912 accident near Oconto, Wisconsin, June 30, 2011
On June 30, 2011 at about 11:27 am local time, a Powrachute Airwolf 912 (powered parachute), registered N734MP, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Oconto, Wisconsin. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The powered parachute pilot's decision to execute an in-flight full-flare which resulted in exceeding the angle of attack capabilities of the parachute wing, and subsequent inadvertent stall.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 30, 2011 · about 11:27 am local time
- Place
- Oconto, Wisconsin · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Powrachute Airwolf 912
- Registration
- N734MP · no longer on the register · serial A153ULS
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The powered parachute pilot performed two in-flight flare maneuvers at altitude. He performed the first one, released the flare, and the powered parachute recovered. He performed the second one, but released more slowly and the parachute stalled. The pilot stated that all the cells of the parachute were open as he applied full throttle. The parachute wing remained open and slightly back from vertical. The parachute remained in this condition until it struck the ground. The large increase in parachute wing drag experienced during the full-flare, and the quick full throttle input, created a climbing dynamic pendulum effect that loaded the wing, and resulted in the stall. Federal Aviation Administration guidance stated that a full-flare is normally used and recommended only for landings, as it is a situation that could contribute to a stall.
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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Flight time: 159 hours in all; 159 in this make and model
- Last flight review: June 25, 2011
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2.5 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, June 28, 2011; 2.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,150 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Abrams WI at 10:50 am
- Destination: PVT Abrams WI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 59°F (15°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on August 11, 2011. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 17 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Excerpt from "FAA-H-8083-29 Powered Parachute Flying Handbook" | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.