Infinity Power Parachutes CLASSIC 2002 N3902V
11 January 2012 · Alanson, Michigan, United States · Serious injuries
Summary
On 11 January 2012 at about 19:35 local time, a Infinity Power Parachutes CLASSIC 2002 registered N3902V was involved in an accident near Alanson, Michigan, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 19:35
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Alanson, Michigan, United States
- Coordinates
- 45.4439, -84.7867
- Aircraft
- Infinity Power Parachutes CLASSIC 2002
- Registration
- N3902V
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Alanson → Alanson
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- CEN12CA131
People
1 person was seriously injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
The powered parachute’s encounter with a downdraft/windshear during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of lift.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB 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. 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.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Feb 2012 | Boeing 737-832 | Detroit, Michigan, United States | Delta Air Lines Inc | Serious injuries | - |
| 10 Jul 2012 | Beechcraft 58 | Sugar Loaf Mountain, Michigan, United States | Dotaero L L C | No injuries | - |
| 12 May 2012 | Piper PA-32-260 | Applegate, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 21 Nov 2012 | Piper PA-28-180 | Hillsdale, Michigan, United States | Clarence J Avery | Fatal | 1 |
| 21 Nov 2012 | Cessna 310B | Mancelona, Michigan, United States | Crawford Roger W | Fatal | 1 |
| 6 Jun 2012 | Piper PA-22-135 | Bangor, Michigan, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |