- Date
- August 9, 2009, 21:00 local (Aug 10, 2009, 05:00 UTC)
- Place
- Anchor Point, AK
- Injuries
- 1 minor
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N50204Infinity Commander
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
- Status
- Completed · report December 29, 2009
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- Alaska Regional Office
- Parties
- FAA - FSDO3
- Case key
- 74457
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot's attempt to exceed the climb capability of the powered parachute during takeoff, and his lack of experience.
Findings · 4
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The noncertificated pilot was taking off in a powered parachute from an off-airport site on a personal local flight under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, when he collided with trees. According to a state trooper who interviewed the pilot shortly after the accident, the pilot stated that the parachute was not in the right position, and the parachute did not fill with air quickly enough. He related he was unable to climb sufficiently to avoid colliding with trees and falling to the ground. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage, and the pilot received serious injury.
Factual narrative
The noncertificated pilot was taking off in a powered parachute from an off-airport site on a personal local flight, under Title 14, Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, when he collided with trees. According to a state trooper who interviewed the pilot shortly after the accident, the pilot stated that the parachute was not in the right position, and the parachute did not fill with air quickly enough. He related he was unable to climb sufficiently to avoid colliding with trees and falling to the ground. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage to the parachute and the pilot received serious injury. The pilot did not submit an NTSB Pilot/Operator Accident Report form (6120.1) as required.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N50204
- Reported as
- Infinity Commander
- Category
- Powered parachute
- Serial number
- IPP6-331
- Engine
- Rotax 582DCDI, 65 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Operator
- Griner Dale
- Registered owner
- Griner Dale
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Departed
- Anchor Point, AK
- Destination
- Anchor Point, AK
- Flight plan
- Unknown
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 51
- Injuries
- Minor
- Medical
- Unknown
- Flight hours
- 0 total · 0 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Dusk
Docket · 1
The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 14, 2009, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 77 KB in all.