Six Chuter SR7 XL accident near Chetek, Wisconsin, July 2, 2023
On July 2, 2023 at about 1:00 am local time, a 1999 Six Chuter SR7 XL (powered parachute), registered N6365A, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Chetek, Wisconsin (Chetek Municipal/Southworth Ai airport). 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 pilot’s failure to maintain aircraft control during initial climb which resulted in an impact with a pole, trees, and terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 2, 2023 · about 1:00 am local time
- Place
- Chetek, Wisconsin · Chetek Municipal/Southworth Ai · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Six Chuter SR7 XL, built 1999 · all SR7 XLs on the register
- Registration
- N6365A · registry record · serial SC1999CS
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that after he had performed a preflight inspection of the powered parachute and allowed the engine to warm up, he moved the powered parachute into position for takeoff. Prior to takeoff, he applied full engine power and watched the canopy rise and then reduced engine power and checked the canopy lines. He applied full engine power for takeoff, and the powered parachute lifted with no issues. However, when he looked down, the powered parachute was not climbing and headed toward trees. The pilot attempted to adjust the flight path to avoid the trees, but the powered parachute impacted a pole, the trees, and then descended into the ground. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage to the frame. The pilot stated there was no mechanical anomalies with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Pole › Effect on operation
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: unmanned (suas)
- Flight time: 177 hours in all; 28 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 150 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 2, 2022
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 287.7 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 26, 2023; 287.7 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582/90 (piston); 291 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35, 3,401 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Sky: scat at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 7:55 pm from Y23
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on November 9, 2023. 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, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photos | PDF, 1 page | 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.