Tension Knot During Powered Parachute Takeoff

Here is my most recent "learning moment". Right after takeoff I had a left turn tendency, not really bad but very noticeable. It turns out I missed a tension knot in the lines on my left side during my takeoff roll. It was very humid this morning and my visor fogged up during the takeoff roll and I didn't have the best view of the chute above me. I checked my steering lines but didn't get a great view of the lines and chute itself. I was able to make an immediate landing on a perpendicular runway (nice, large and grassy!), untangle the knot and then depart again for a normal flight.
I don't have a ton of hours (around 380 at the time of this video), but certainly enough to know better and do a better job of doing the rolling pre-flight. You can see the chute deformation in my mirror. Watching the video I was in way too much of a hurry and didn't take the time to check everything properly and didn't have proper visibility due to the fogged helmet visor. I backed off on the throttle which was probably the wrong thing to do at that low altitude. I tried pumping my left steering line to try to release the tangle...again the wrong thing to do during that moment.
Lessons learned:
- Don't get complacent.
- Don't get in a hurry.
- Be sure to have a clean visor or raise it during takeoff. Maybe I'll try some of my scuba diving mask defog to keep my visor clear.
- Have a plan ready should something happen during takeoff/departure.
- You're never too old or too experienced to have a "stupid moment".
I'm posting this to help out the community and to give everyone something to think about. I got really lucky and learned a lesson without hurting myself, my equipment or any airport property. It's really easy to get complacent after hundreds of takeoffs and think that this one will be just like all of the others. It just may not be!
Web site: www.scottricha...

[@flierbill]

Glad you're okay ,

[@ldalton7414]

I have not had to deal with any line issues YET, but it sure would help if you could have included a better explanation of exactly what a tension knot is and perhaps a photo or two to help others understand them better. They are not mentioned at all in the FFA Powered Parachute Handbook. I'm going to try to remember to ask one our local CFIs about that subject next time I see them.
By the way, Scott, I really DO ENJOY your great videos. Greetings from Utah.

[@ScottRichardson_PPC]

A tension knot occurs when 1 more more lines get tangled together (a single line can get twisted) and when they are put under tension at takeoff, they tighten into a knot. When you get a knot in the lines, the effective line length changes, causing a deformation in the shape of the parachute. This can result in several issues, including a turning tendency, which is what I experienced right after takeoff.
Thanks for watching my videos!

[@mikeetheridge190]

That made me nevous , the dip and not controling correct I thought here comes a hard landing . You did a good job of staying in control and setting back down. Whoo!

[@JesseChoupique]

Good call. Calm, cool, collected.....

[@jacobditmer1369]

At least you made it in one piece.

[@munawarsoomro8958]

Haven’t had to deal with tension knot yet. What were your indication you had tension knot?

[@ScottRichardson_PPC]

The parachute was pulling to the left, fortunately not very hard so I was able to countersteer to keep it straight.

[@munawarsoomro8958]

@@ScottRichardson_PPC Thank you !

[@dwaynetruhlsen8321]

What actually happened?