Probable cause
The pilot's failure to initiate a climb in a timely manner which resulted in contact with wires.
NTSB analysis
The pilot said he was flying over his home's driveway with a passenger so a family member could take pictures as he flew over. He said he descended to an altitude he thought was above wires at the end of his driveway, which he estimated were 25 ft above the ground. As he tracked along the driveway he added full power to climb when he was about 500 ft from the wires, but the powered parachute climbed slowly and the left wheel caught a wire. The aircraft descended into the ground, substantially bending and damaging the aircraft's fuselage structure that included the parachute attachment point. The pilot indicated there were no mechanical anomalies with the aircraft that contributed to the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN20CA275 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 5, 2020
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Freedom, Wisconsin
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
CONDOR
- N-number
- N3502X
- Category
- Powered parachute
- Year built
- 2003
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.