Powerchute Airwolf 912ULS accident near Dell, Montana, December 14, 2012
On December 14, 2012 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Powerchute Airwolf 912ULS (powered parachute), registered N480QP, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Dell, Montana. 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 and clearance from mountainous terrain while maneuvering at a low altitude in downdraft conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 14, 2012 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Dell, Montana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Powerchute Airwolf 912ULS
- Registration
- N480QP · registry record · serial A180ULS
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was on a personal local sightseeing flight attempting to traverse a mountain range when he observed fog formation in the valley below, which prompted him to reverse course. After reversing course, the pilot observed clouds, which prompted him to reverse course again and to descend. The pilot added full throttle to avoid mountainous terrain, but the powered parachute would not climb. The pilot stated that it was similar to being hit by a downdraft. The nosewheel of the aircraft subsequently clipped a bush, which resulted in the aircraft impacting terrain. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airframe or engine 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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Contributed to outcome
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Mountainous/hilly terrain › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Flight time: 600 hours in all; 600 in this make and model; 9 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 600 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 9 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 19, 2012; 9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,150 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 UL (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Dell MT at 4:00 pm
- Destination: Dell MT
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 8,500 ft; a few clouds at 5,500 ft
- Temperature: 27°F (-3°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.63 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from DLN, 38 miles away
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.