Six Chuter INC SR7 accident near Hamilton, Montana, July 19, 2023
On July 19, 2023 at about 2:00 pm local time, a 1997 Six Chuter INC SR7 (ultralight), registered N942WA, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Hamilton, Montana. It was a personal flight under ultralight rules (Part 103). 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 directional control during takeoff and subsequent impact with a tree.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 19, 2023 · about 2:00 pm local time · cases in 2023
- Place
- Hamilton, Montana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Six Chuter INC SR7, built 1997 · all SR7s on the register
- Registration
- N942WA · registry record · serial 97-1739-2SR7
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · ultralight rules (Part 103)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the powered parachute reported that, after raising the wing and during takeoff, the powered parachute experienced an unexpected right turn. He checked to see if any steering lines were tangled but could not confirm that they were. He attempted to increase the right turn to avoid impacting a tree but was unable to clear it, and the powered parachute came to rest in the treeThis is not supported in the 6120 in the docket. You’ll need to add a record of conversation if you want to keep it. . A stabilizer tube and a center of gravity tube sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures 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 during takeoff/land during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 152 hours in all; 152 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 152 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 460 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, February 10, 2023; 19 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 825 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 460 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.24 inHg
- Observation at 7:35 am from KHRF, 3 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KHRF 191335Z AUTO 18004KT 10SM 13/05 A3024
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on November 2, 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 | Photos | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for Record A�� Telephone Interview, Pilot | 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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N942WA on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Six Chuter Inc SR7 22 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Engine: Rotax 582 62 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Accidents and incidents in Montana 1,121 since 1982 · 166 in the last ten years
- Montana 6,041 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/WPR23LA281.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.