Airframes Unlimited OUTLAW accident near Elizabeth, Colorado, April 15, 2019
On April 15, 2019 at about 7:00 pm local time, a 2007 Airframes Unlimited OUTLAW (powered parachute), registered N5622D, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Elizabeth, Colorado. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his subsequent decision to initiate a turn, which resulted in the powered parachute’s descent and impact with a fence.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 15, 2019 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Elizabeth, Colorado · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Airframes Unlimited OUTLAW, built 2007
- Registration
- N5622D · registry record · serial OL 00579
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the powered parachute reported that, during takeoff from a hayfield, the wind was from the southwest at 6 mph and that he departed to the southwest. He added that, once airborne, the climb rate was "slower than normal," and he began a 180° left turn. On the downwind, the climb rate reduced to zero, and the powered parachute started descending. He realized he did not have enough altitude to complete the 180° turn. The powered parachute impacted the top rail of a fence, and the pilot subsequently shut the magnetos off. The airplane then impacted a second fence and the ground. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. The automated weather observation station located about 16 miles northwest of the accident site reported that, about 7 minutes before the accident, the wind was from 020° at 9 knots. The pilot reported that the wind was from 245° at 6 knots and that the density altitude was "6,800+" ft.
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 lift during takeoff defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, flight engineer, sport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 9,947 hours in all; 411 in this make and model
- Last flight review: May 25, 2015
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 331 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 3, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 Blue Head (piston); 331 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Elizabeth CO at 7:00 pm
- Destination: Elizabeth CO
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 23,000 ft; a few clouds at 9,000 ft
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Observation at 6:53 pm from KAPA, 16 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on May 13, 2019. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Diagram | 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.