INFINITY INFINITY near Little Rock, AR — 2010-08-12

Probable cause

The failure of the control lanyard for undetermined reasons.

NTSB narrative

While the powered parachute was in a right descending spiral from 800 feet to 200 feet, the pilot and his passenger felt a violent shudder. The pilot could not visually detect anything unusual with the parachute and attempted to return to level flight by reducing engine power and adding opposite control input. Despite his efforts, the aircraft did not respond; it continued in a steep descending turn until it impacted the water. A postaccident examination of the aircraft revealed that the parachute experienced a seam failure at the 5th and 6th cell seam. In addition, a broken control lanyard was found. The reason for the control lanyard’s failure was not determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode

Loss of control

First missed decision gate

Pilot could have aborted the maneuver after feeling the violent shudder.

NTSB coding

• Flight control sys malf/fail · Uncontrolled descent

Evidence available

• 1 docket document

Docket documents1

• Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1form

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