Infinity INFINITY 2003 accident near Wilmore, Kentucky, July 16, 2012
On July 16, 2012, a Infinity INFINITY 2003 (powered parachute), registered N5627G, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Wilmore, Kentucky. 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
A loss of lift on initial climb for unreported reasons, which resulted in a collision with trees and the ground.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 16, 2012
- Place
- Wilmore, Kentucky · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Infinity INFINITY 2003
- Registration
- N5627G · registry record · serial IPP3-191
- 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 was taking off and stated that he advanced the throttle to about two-thirds power and that the parachute “went from left to right.” He decreased the throttle, and the parachute stopped oscillating and “kitted up” correctly. He increased power and they became airborne in a slow climb about 30 mph and were approaching a tree line. The aircraft was not achieving lift, so he maneuvered the aircraft toward a cut in the trees. The nose of the airframe collided with the trees. He added power to level the airframe, and they collided with the ground. The aircraft sustained minor damage; the pilot and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The pilot stated that he may have encountered a downdraft. The nearest airport to the crash site was located 15 miles to the northeast and the wind there was reported as calm. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal aircraft 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
- Loss of lift during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Tree(s) › Contributed to outcome
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Climb rate › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: sport pilot
- Flight time: 139 hours in all; 127 in this make and model; 21 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 127 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 8, 2010
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 186 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, October 8, 2011; 49 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Wilmore KY at 1:29 am
- Destination: Wilmore KY
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 73°F (23°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 1:54 am from LEX, 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.
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.