Destiny XLT accident near Athens, Georgia, August 4, 2009
On August 4, 2009 at about 11:30 pm local time, a Destiny XLT (powered parachute), registered UNREG, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Athens, Georgia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain obstacle clearance during climbout.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 4, 2009 · about 11:30 pm local time
- Place
- Athens, Georgia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Destiny XLT · all XLTs on the register
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial A1477DPB
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The unregistered experimental powered parachute, that was being piloted by a non certificated pilot, impacted trees at the edge of a pasture during takeoff in visual meteorological conditions and calm winds. According to the passenger, two previous attempts to take off failed during the take off roll due to the parachute "falling over." The pilot then decided to take off in a direction perpendicular to the previous two attempts. The passenger added that they had used this direction several times in the past and typically would clear the treeline at the edge of the pasture by about 55 feet; however, on this attempt, the aircraft was approximately halfway across the pasture before it began to lift off. When it reached the treeline, the aircraft grazed the top of the trees. The parachute collapsed, and the aircraft impacted the ground in a near vertical descent. Examination of the wreckage did not reveal any preimpact failures, and the passenger did not notice any issues with the engine during the takeoff. The pilot was not available for comment. A Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/ Incident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) was not received.
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
- Collision during takeoff/land during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Flight time: 0 hours in all; 0 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 475 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 503 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Athens GA
- Destination: Athens GA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 0 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 11:51 pm from AHN, 15 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 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.