Infinity Powered Parachutes IPP2 N6035L

Summary

On 12 September 2019 at about 14:45 local time, a Infinity Powered Parachutes IPP2 registered N6035L was involved in an accident near Eustace, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 September 2019 at 14:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Eustace, Texas, United States

Coordinates

32.2767, -96.0067

Aircraft

Infinity Powered Parachutes IPP2

Registration

N6035L

Year built

2002

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Eustace → Eustace

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN19LA316

1 person died.

The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a power line. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to fly at an altitude too low to avoid obstacles.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses observed the powered parachute (PPC) flying about 10 to 15 ft above trees and power lines and said the pilot appeared to be in control of the PPC, the parachute canopy appeared “full,” and there did not appear to be any mechanical issues.   One of the witnesses, who was a neighbor to the pilot, reported observing the PPC fly over his property and then turn south and disappear from his view. He reported it sounded like the pilot tried to apply additional power to the engine and there were two "snapping sounds" followed by the sound of an impact. He responded to the accident site and observed a wire wrapped around the pilot and the cart. None of the witnesses observed the accident occur. Postaccident examination of the PPC revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The PPC had an adequate amount of fuel onboard. Wreckage signatures were consistent with a wire strike. It is likely the pilot failed to maintain clearance from a wire during the low-level flight, which resulted in a wire strike and an impact with terrain. Medical evidence showed that the pilot's risk of impairment and incapacitation was elevated due to heart disease, prior stroke, and prescription opioid use but did not establish whether he was impaired or incapacitated. There was no operational evidence that the pilot lost control of the PPC or that it was unusual for him to fly so low in the vicinity of hazards. Thus, whether medical factors contributed to the accident could not be determined. The accident is consistent with the pilot failing to see and avoid a power line while flying at a low altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.