# NTSB WPR12LA205: Infinity 2000, N541KP, Hurricane, UT, May 11, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 11, 2012, 08:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Hurricane, UT - Coordinates: 37.2, -113.320274 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2000&lon=-113.3203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report November 6, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 83642 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12LA205 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83642/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83642 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12LA205 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision to fly at a low altitude in a canyon, which resulted in insufficient altitude to recover from an encounter with terrain-induced turbulence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Infinity 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05904EA), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Infinity 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=05904EA), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Turbulence: terrain induced turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation; cases with it: [Infinity 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md?model=05904EA), [All aircraft, 70 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032010/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Infinity 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05904EA), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360); cases with it: [Infinity 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md?model=05904EA), [All aircraft, 423 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/360/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Infinity 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05904EA), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Infinity 2000, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05904EA), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that during a local flight in the powered parachute, he descended into a river canyon and proceeded downstream at an altitude of 50 to 100 feet above the canyon bottom. As he reached an area where the canyon narrowed, the pilot encountered terrain-induced turbulence and gusting wind that resulted in the powered parachute descending to within 10 feet of the canyon floor. When the pilot attempted to regain altitude, the gondola of the powered parachute impacted a rock outcropping. The pilot stated that he likely encountered an air mass that was moving up the canyon and gained velocity due to the narrowing of the canyon, creating the turbulence and gusts. He noted that the accident could have been prevented by maintaining a higher altitude above the ground when flying in such terrain. ## Factual narrative On May 11, 2012, about 0830 mountain daylight time, an Infinity 2000 powered parachute, N541KP, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain following a turbulence encounter near Hurricane, Utah. The commercial pilot was seriously injured and his passenger received minor injuries. The pilot/owner was operating the powered parachute under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight, which had originated from the General Dick Stout Field Airport in Hurricane about 30 minutes before the accident. A flight plan had not been filed. The pilot reported that he initially climbed to about 1,000 feet above ground level and determined that the wind was from the west about 5 mph. When he was about 5 miles north of the airport, he descended into the canyon of the Virgin River and proceeded downstream towards the west. The pilot reported that he maintained an altitude of 50 to 100 feet above the canyon bottom. About 20 minutes after takeoff, he "encountered an area of severe (as related to a powered parachute) turbulence and gusting" that resulted in the powered parachute descending to within 10 feet of the canyon floor. As the pilot attempted to regain altitude, the gondola of the powered parachute impacted a rock outcropping. The gondola structure was bent. The pilot reported that the accident occurred at a point where the canyon narrowed significantly and that he likely encountered an air mass that was moving up the canyon and gained velocity due to the narrowing of the canyon, creating turbulence and gusts. He noted that the accident could have been prevented by maintaining "a greater margin of safety altitude when flying in such terrain." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N541KP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N541KP), registered now, S/N IPP2-090, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: INFINITY 2000 - Registry model: [Infinity 2000](https://openairdocs.org/model/infinity-2000) (registry code 05904EA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: IPP2-090 - Airframe hours: 342 - Engines: Rotax 670 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 6, 2012 - Departed: 1L8, Hurricane, UT - Destination: 1L8, Hurricane, UT ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: serious; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 17, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 2,204 total, 182 in this make and model, 2,061 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: CDC, 31 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 20120511006939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120511006939A), May 11, 2012: Infinity 2000, Hurricane, UT, Substantial damage. On may 11, 2012, at approximately 0830 MDT while cruising down a ravine in a powered parachute with light winds at about 5 knots, the pilot suddenly… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 7, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83642. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40396572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-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.