Powrachute PEGASUS accident near Cumming, Georgia, October 4, 2012
On October 4, 2012 at about 10:15 pm local time, a Powrachute PEGASUS (powered parachute), registered N580PG, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Cumming, Georgia (Ebeneezer Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
Preview. This page is not yet listed for search engines.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The operation of the powered parachute by a non-certificated pilot, and his failure to maintain directional control during the initial climb, which resulted in a collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 4, 2012 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Cumming, Georgia · Ebeneezer Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Powrachute PEGASUS · all PEGASUSs on the register
- Registration
- N580PG · registry record · serial A058 PEG
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non-certificated pilot of the powered parachute reported that he aborted his first takeoff because the riser lines to the canopy became entangled. During the subsequent takeoff, the powered parachute encountered a "gust of wind" from the left, and the craft was pushed into trees on the right of the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe and canopy. After the accident, the pilot reported that there were no mechanical deficiencies that would have precluded normal operation of the powered parachute.
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
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
Pilot
- Flight time: 35 hours in all; 3 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 165 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 4, 2012; 7 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 4GA9 Cumming GA at 10:15 pm
- Destination: 4GA9 Cumming GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09, 1,400 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 300° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.22 inHg
- Observation at 10:53 pm from GVL, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ERA13CA009.