Infinity Powered Parachutes IPP2 accident near Eustace, Texas, September 12, 2019
On September 12, 2019 at about 2:45 pm local time, a 2002 Infinity Powered Parachutes IPP2, registered N6035L, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Eustace, Texas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to see and avoid a power line. Contributing was the pilot’s decision to fly at an altitude too low to avoid obstacles.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 12, 2019 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- Eustace, Texas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Infinity Powered Parachutes IPP2, built 2002
- Registration
- N6035L · no longer on the register · serial IPP2-105
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Witnesses observed the powered parachute (PPC) flying about 10 to 15 ft above trees and power lines and said the pilot appeared to be in control of the PPC, the parachute canopy appeared “full,” and there did not appear to be any mechanical issues. One of the witnesses, who was a neighbor to the pilot, reported observing the PPC fly over his property and then turn south and disappear from his view. He reported it sounded like the pilot tried to apply additional power to the engine and there were two "snapping sounds" followed by the sound of an impact. He responded to the accident site and observed a wire wrapped around the pilot and the cart. None of the witnesses observed the accident occur. Postaccident examination of the PPC revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The PPC had an adequate amount of fuel onboard. Wreckage signatures were consistent with a wire strike. It is likely the pilot failed to maintain clearance from a wire during the low-level flight, which resulted in a wire strike and an impact with terrain. Medical evidence showed that the pilot's risk of impairment and incapacitation was elevated due to heart disease, prior stroke, and prescription opioid use but did not establish whether he was impaired or incapacitated. There was no operational evidence that the pilot lost control of the PPC or that it was unusual for him to fly so low in the vicinity of hazards. Thus, whether medical factors contributed to the accident could not be determined. The accident is consistent with the pilot failing to see and avoid a power line while flying at a low altitude.
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
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Miscellaneous/other during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Off-field or emergency landing during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Effect on equipment
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 100 hours in all
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 22, 2019
- Maximum gross weight: 1,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Eustace TX at 1:30 pm
- Destination: Eustace TX
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observation at 2:35 am from KF44, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
7 documents, released by the NTSB on January 20, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Accident Photographs | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Witness Statements | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Family Members Record of Conversation | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | FAA Information | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Certificate Information and Most Recent Maintenance Work | PDF, 5 pages | View Download |
| 6 | NTSB Medical Factual Report | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 7 | FAA Toxicology Report | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Other NTSB records under N6035L 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.