Amateur-built VX accident near Westport, South Dakota, August 20, 2026
On August 20, 2026, a 1996 amateur-built VX (powered parachute), registered CIFBY, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Westport, South Dakota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed, 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 NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 20, 2026
- Place
- Westport, South Dakota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed, 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built VX NO SERIES, built 1996
- Registration
- CIFBY · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On August 19, 2026, about 1920 central daylight time, a Para-Ski VX powered parachute, C-IFBY, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Westport, South Dakota. The pilot sustained serious injuries, passenger 1 sustained fatal injuries, and passenger 2 sustained minor injuries. The powered parachute was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A witness reported that they observed the accident aircraft depart from a field towards the west. The witness looked away for about one minute, and when the witness looked back the aircraft had already impacted terrain. The aircraft impacted terrain, collided with a barbed wire fence, and came to rest on its side with substantial damage to the fuselage. Initial reports revealed that the pilot was seated in the front seat with passenger 1 seated in his lap and passenger 2 was seated in the rear seat as seen in figure 1. Figure 1. Seat configuration The accident aircraft does not meet the requirements as outlined in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 103 to be considered an ultralight vehicle. The aircraft fuel capacity exceeded 5 gallons and is configured for operation for more than a single occupant. The pilot holds an FAA remote pilot certificate for small unmanned aircraft systems. The powered parachute was retained for further examination.
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
- Unknown or undetermined during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: None Westport SD
- Destination: None Westport SD
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 pm from KABR, 17 miles away
Weather report (METAR): METAR KABR 192353Z AUTO 17008KT 10SM CLR 26/18 A2992 RMK AO2 SLP128 T02560183 10272 20244 58007
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.