# NTSB ANC09CA077: Infinity Commander, N50204, Anchor Point, AK, August 10, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 9, 2009, 21:00 local (Aug 10, 2009, 05:00 UTC) - Place: Anchor Point, AK - Coordinates: 59.771389, -151.814727 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=59.7714&lon=-151.8147&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office - Parties: FAA - FSDO3 - NTSB case key (mKey): 74457 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC09CA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74457/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74457 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA077 ## Probable cause The pilot's attempt to exceed the climb capability of the powered parachute during takeoff, and his lack of experience. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Infinity COMMANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=059016Z), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Infinity COMMANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=059016Z), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Infinity COMMANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=059016Z), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Infinity COMMANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=059016Z), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Infinity COMMANDER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=059016Z), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## 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](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50204), registered now, S/N IPP6-331, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: INFINITY COMMANDER - Registry model: [Infinity COMMANDER](https://openairdocs.org/model/infinity-commander) (registry code 059016Z) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: IPP6-331 - Engines: 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 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: minor; medical: unknown; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 14, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74457. 77 KB in all. - Alaska State Trooper's Report (item 1, .PDF, 77 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40320000&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Alaska%20State%20Trooper%27s%20Report-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.