Investigators Release New Info On Power Parachute Crash

There is new information Friday on the possible cause of the crash of a power parachute Thursday night at the Country Concert campground near Ft. Loramie in Shelby County.

Witnesses said state Highway Patrol troopers now believe it was not a power failure that caused the power parachute to hit power lines and crash near Newport.

Troopers believe pilot error and inexperience may be to blame. Troopers said Kenton Anderson of Sidney had only about two months' experience of flying the aircraft.

According to troopers, Anderson was flying low, up and down and taking in the sights and sounds of the concert when he got tangled up in power lines.

The accident happened at the edge of the Vera Street camping area in the back yard of the home of Neal Marchal. Officials said power parachutes are not regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration. They are said to be safer than flying an ultralight due to the parachute.

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