Powrachute AIRWOLF accident near Casco, Michigan, August 11, 2020
On August 11, 2020 at about 11:31 pm local time, a 2012 Powrachute AIRWOLF (powered parachute), an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N465JP, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Casco, Michigan (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's decision to takeoff towards known obstacles which resulted in an impact with a power line.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 11, 2020 · about 11:31 pm local time
- Place
- Casco, Michigan · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Powrachute AIRWOLF 912, built 2012, amateur-built · all AIRWOLFs on the register
- Registration
- N465JP · registry record · serial A165ULS
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and passenger were conducting a local flight in a powered parachute from a grass field. The pilot elected to take off to the north-northwest to take advantage of the light wind from that direction instead of taking off to the northeast with a light crosswind. The pilot was aware of trees and powerlines on the departure route to the northwest but thought he could turn left after takeoff to avoid the obstructions. The powered parachute did not climb as quickly as usual during the left turn so the pilot turned back to the right thinking he could parallel the power lines. The powered parachute did not turn as quickly as expected and continued to climb toward the power lines. The pilot thought he had cleared the power lines, but the parachute impacted the static wire above the power lines, which collapsed the parachute, and the airframe fell to the ground. The airframe sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical anomalies with the powered parachute that contributed to the accident and said he should have taken off to the northeast and accepted the light crosswind.
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
- Miscellaneous/other during prior to flight
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- factor Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- factor Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Decision related to condition
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Awareness of condition
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 520 hours in all; 147 in this make and model; 8 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 281 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 382 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme; 24 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Honda Viking 110 (piston); 382 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NA Casco MI
- Destination: NA Casco MI
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 350° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.