Destiny Powered Parachutes 2000 accident near Saint Paul, Nebraska, April 4, 2021
On April 4, 2021 at about 11:30 pm local time, a 2003 Destiny Powered Parachutes 2000, registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Saint Paul, Nebraska. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The uncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain control of the powered parachute during low altitude flight in gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 4, 2021 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Saint Paul, Nebraska · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Destiny Powered Parachutes 2000 NO SERIES, built 2003
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial Unknown
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The uncertificated pilot reported that while conducting a low altitude flight with a passenger in his two-seat unregistered powered parachute, a storm quickly moved into the area and a gust of wind “caught the parachute” and “pulled the machine down uncontrollably”. The aircraft subsequently impacted the terrain. The aircraft’s frame tubing beneath and forward of the seats sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe and the engine that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Other weather encounter during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Low altitude operation/event during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on equipment
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
Pilot
- Flight time: 63 hours in all; 63 in this make and model; 11 in the last 90 days; 11 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 783 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax Aircraft Engines 582 (piston); 64 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Saint Paul NE at 11:00 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 13 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 41°F (5°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from KGRI, 17 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KGRI 050053Z COR 24016G24KT 10SM VCTS BKN090 OVC120 24/07 A2984 RMK AO2 PK WND 21044/0028 LTG DSNT NW-E TSB22E45 SLP102 T02440067 TS N MOV SE
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
4 documents, released by the NTSB on July 12, 2021. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Accident Photographs | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Accident Sequence Video Footage (Courtesy of the Pilot's Brother) | video | View Download |
| 4 | Law Enforcement Officer Report | PDF, 3 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 UNREG 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.