Infinity 2003 accident near Merrill, Michigan, September 26, 2012
On September 26, 2012 at about 10:15 pm local time, a Infinity 2003 (powered parachute), registered N70319, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Merrill, Michigan (Private Residence airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to attempt a takeoff from midfield, resulting in a collision with trees at the departure end of the field.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 26, 2012 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Merrill, Michigan · Private Residence · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Infinity 2003
- Registration
- N70319 · no longer on the register · serial ALLJOM
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot began the takeoff from the runway midpoint at a private airstrip and failed to clear trees at the departure end. The powered parachute hit the trees and impacted terrain, causing substantial damage to the aircraft.
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Aircraft capability › Takeoff distance › Capability exceeded
Pilot
- Certificate: recreational, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: powered-lift
- Flight time: 135 hours in all; 48 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 79 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: July 13, 2007
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 130 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 23, 2012
- Maximum gross weight: 870 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE Merrill MI at 10:15 pm
- Destination: Merrill MI
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 09, 1,500 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.07 inHg
- Observation at 8:53 pm from KMBS, 21 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
Other NTSB records under N70319 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.