# NTSB CEN09CA580: Alliant XLT-582, N3284A, Genesee, MI, September 12, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 12, 2009, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Genesee, MI
- Coordinates: 43.125, -83.626113 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1250&lon=-83.6261&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: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA-Detroit FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 74724
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA580
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74724/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74724
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA580

## Probable cause

The pilot failed to maintain clearance from the trees during takeoff into gusting winds.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Alliant XLT 582, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=05901FU), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: climb rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Alliant XLT 582, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md?model=05901FU), [All aircraft, 265 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062035/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Alliant XLT 582, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901FU), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Alliant XLT 582, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=05901FU), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: [Alliant XLT 582, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05901FU), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that she departed runway 36 in the powered parachute and that the wind was from the east. After the aircraft lifted off, the pilot turned the aircraft into the wind. The pilot reported that the aircraft hit a wind gust and lost lift during the subsequent climbout. The powered parachute hit trees that lined the east side of the airport resulting in substantial damage. The pilot in the front seat received serious injuries, and the aft passenger was not injured.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that she departed runway 36 in the powered parachute and that the wind was from the east. After the aircraft lifted off, the pilot turned the aircraft into the wind. The pilot reported that the aircraft hit a wind gust and lost lift during the subsequent climbout. The powered parachute hit trees that lined the east side of the airport resulting in substantial damage. The pilot in the front seat received serious injuries, and the aft passenger was not injured.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3284A](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3284A), registered now, S/N 4C0637, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Alliant XLT-582
- Registry model: [Alliant XLT 582](https://openairdocs.org/model/alliant-xlt-582) (registry code 05901FU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Powered parachute
- Serial number: 4C637
- Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Donald and Laurie Alarie-Anderson
- Registered owner: Donald and Laurie Alarie-Anderson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special)
- Departed: 68G, Genesee, MI
- Destination: 68G, Genesee, MI
- Airport: 68G, Duford Field Airport, runway 36, 2,048 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20090912049279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090912049279A), Sep 12, 2009: Alliant Avi XLT 582, Genesee, MI, Substantial damage. Since the pilot was taken to the hospital and was not available for an interview, the husband passenger (also a pilot but not operating the aircraft)…

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 22, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74724. 513 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 513 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40319979&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.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.

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