Summary
On September 26, 2012, a Infinity 2003 (N70319) was involved in an accident near Merrill, MI. The accident resulted in 2 minor injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's improper decision to attempt a takeoff from midfield, resulting in a collision with trees at the departure end of the field.
On September 26, 2012, about 1815 central daylight time, an Infinity 2003, N70319, struck trees during takeoff from a private airstrip in Merrill, Michigan. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The powered parachute aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN12LA678. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N70319.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper decision to attempt a takeoff from midfield, resulting in a collision with trees at the departure end of the field.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On September 26, 2012, about 1815 central daylight time, an Infinity 2003, N70319, struck trees during takeoff from a private airstrip in Merrill, Michigan. The pilot and passenger sustained minor injuries. The powered parachute aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight was originating from at the time of the accident.
According to the pilot's written statement, he began his takeoff roll from the runway midpoint at his private airstrip and failed to clear trees at the departure end, resulting in what he described as a forced landing.
FAA was notified on October 31, and an inspector went to the scene on November 6, 2012. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was notified of the accident on November 7, 2012.
Photographs revealed the powered parachute had sustained substantial damage. The entire engine mount and parachute attachment truss structure was deformed. One of the truss members was fractured. The FAA inspector advised that the aircraft's airworthiness certificate had expired, and the pilot did not have a current flight review.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN12LA678