# NTSB CEN12CA131: Infinity Power Parachutes Classic 2002, N3902V, Alanson, MI, January 11, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 11, 2012, 14:35 local (19:35 UTC) - Place: Alanson, MI - Coordinates: 45.443889, -84.786666 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.4439&lon=-84.7867&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 82671 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA131 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82671/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82671 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA131 ## Probable cause The powered parachute’s encounter with a downdraft/windshear during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of lift. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Infinity Power Parachutes CLASSIC 2002, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05904DC), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Infinity Power Parachutes CLASSIC 2002, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=05904DC), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Infinity Power Parachutes CLASSIC 2002, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=05904DC), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of lift](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500) (defining event); cases with it: [Infinity Power Parachutes CLASSIC 2002, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md?model=05904DC), [All aircraft, 252 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/500/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Infinity Power Parachutes CLASSIC 2002, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05904DC), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger departed from a hayfield in the powered parachute. The pilot reported that, just after takeoff, when the powered parachute was 20 to 25 feet in the air, the powered-parachute lost lift and descended. During the forced landing and collision with trees, the powered parachute received substantial damage to its airframe. The pilot added that he was unable to climb or turn the powered parachute. A witness reported that, when the powered parachute was about the same height as the trees, it looked like the powered parachute was caught in a downdraft and the canopy partially collapsed. The witness said that the canopy re-inflated just before the powered parachute impacted trees. The pilot said that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot and passenger departed from a hayfield in the powered-parachute. The pilot reported that just after takeoff, when the powered parachute was 20 to 25 feet in the air, the powered-parachute lost lift and descended. The pilot added that he was unable to climb or turn the powered-parachute. A witness reported that when the powered-parachute was about the same height as the trees, it looked like the powered-parachute got caught in a downdraft and the canopy partly collapsed. The witness added the canopy re-inflated just before the powered-parachute impacted trees. During the forced landing and collision with trees, the powered-parachute received substantial damage to its airframe. The pilot added that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3902V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3902V-2025-06-30), registration cancelled 2025-06-30, S/N IPP2-137, built 2008 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: INFINITY POWER PARACHUTES LLC CLASSIC 2002 - Registry model: [Infinity Power Parachutes CLASSIC 2002](https://openairdocs.org/model/infinity-power-parachutes-classic-2002) (registry code 05904DC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: IPP2-137 - Airframe hours: 100.4 - Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 12, 2011 - Departed: Alanson, MI - Destination: Alanson, MI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: minor; private, sport pilot; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: sport pilot, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 9, 2010; seat: rear; flight hours: 633 total, 15 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.60 inHg - Observed at: KPLN, 8 nm away ## 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 20120111000379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120111000379A), Jan 11, 2012: Infinity Power Parachutes LLC CLASSIC 2002, Alanson, MI, Minor damage. At 1520 local time, a 2 seat powered parachute departed a field in Alanson, MI., for a local flight in VFR conditons. During takeoff climb the pilot reported… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 2, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82671. 585 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 474 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362356&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362350&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Other Pertinent Forms and Reports (memo) (item 3, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40362351&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Other%20Pertinent%20Forms%20and%20Reports%20(memo)-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. --- 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.