Powerchute LLC Airwolf 912ULS accident near Alexandria, Indiana, January 14, 2011
On January 14, 2011 at about 9:00 pm local time, a Powerchute LLC Airwolf 912ULS (powered parachute), registered N4306P, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Alexandria, Indiana (Private airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with trees during an initial climb following an aborted landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 14, 2011 · about 9:00 pm local time
- Place
- Alexandria, Indiana · Private · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Powerchute LLC Airwolf 912ULS
- Registration
- N4306P · registry record · serial A146ULS
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the powered parachute stated that he performed several touch-and-go landings at the departure airport. He then flew to his house where he attempted a landing on a 600-foot-long flat grass strip. During the landing attempt, the pilot was focused on the touchdown point and, when he looked up he noticed that the powered parachute veered off the right side of the grass strip. He added full engine power and attempted an aborted landing. During the initial climb, the powered parachute struck the tree tops. The pilot stated that the powered parachute can take off and land in about 50 feet and that he had not previously attempted a landing at his residence.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of visual reference during landing
- Runway excursion during landing
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: recreational, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 20 hours in all; 20 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Alexandria IN at 8:00 pm
- Destination: PVT Alexandria IN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 600 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 27°F (-3°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.23 inHg
- Observation at 8:49 pm from AID
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.