Pilot Debrief

INFINITY 2000 near Hurricane, UT — 2012-05-11

Final reportWPR12LA205
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Date
2012-05-11
Location
Hurricane, UT, USA
Aircraft
INFINITY 2000
Registration
N541KP
Category
Powered parachute
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Descent

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.

NTSB narrative

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.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Controlled flight into terrain
First missed decision gate
Maintain greater margin of safety altitude when flying in such terrain.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 1 docket document
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents1

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