Six Chuter Spirit and Destiny XLT mid-air collision near Marana, Arizona, January 19, 2018
On January 19, 2018, 2 aircraft, Six Chuter Spirit (UNREG) and Destiny XLT (UNREG), were involved in a mid-air collision near Marana, Arizona. 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The noncertificated pilots’ failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in a midair collision.
The noncertificated pilots’ failure to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in a midair collision.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 19, 2018
- Place
- Marana, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Six Chuter Spirit, built 2008
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial unknown
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Destiny XLT, amateur-built · all XLTs on the register
- Registration
- UNREG · no longer on the register · serial 001082-00
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Six Chuter Spirit final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two noncertificated pilots were conducting personal, local flights in their powered parachutes, one of which was a Six Chuter Spirit and the other of which was a Destiny XLT. The Six Chuter departed, followed by the Destiny. The Six Chuter pilot reported that, while cruising about 100 ft above ground level, he saw the Destiny on a northerly heading. At this time, he decided to maintain his altitude and heading and follow the Destiny because he was less experienced than the other pilot. However, he then saw the Destiny turn to a westerly heading, which put the Destiny on a direct path toward the Six Chuter. Seconds later, the Destiny impacted the Six Chuter, which then spun 180° and drifted backward while descending until ground impact. The Destiny entered a nose-down attitude and then rapidly descended without its parachute until ground impact. The Destiny pilot reported that he was unable to recall the accident details. A ground witness stated that both aircraft were in straight-and level-flight and that the engines sounded normal before impact. Although the sun was setting at the time of the accident, the investigation could not determine if it obstructed the Destiny pilot's vision or whether it was a factor in the accident. Both pilots reported that they their aircraft did not experience any mechanical anomalies during their flights. Based on the available information, it is likely that both pilots failed to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in a midair collision.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Destiny XLT final · quoted from the NTSB record
Two noncertificated pilots were conducting personal, local flights in their powered parachutes, one of which was a Six Chuter Spirit and the other of which was a Destiny XLT. The Six Chuter departed, followed by the Destiny. The Six Chuter pilot reported that, while cruising about 100 ft above ground level, he saw the Destiny on a northerly heading. At this time, he decided to maintain his altitude and heading and follow the Destiny because he was less experienced than the other pilot. However, he then saw the Destiny turn to a westerly heading, which put the Destiny on a direct path toward the Six Chuter. Seconds later, the Destiny impacted the Six Chuter, which then spun 180° and drifted backward while descending until ground impact. The Destiny entered a nose-down attitude and then rapidly descended without its parachute until ground impact. The Destiny pilot reported that he was unable to recall the accident details. A ground witness stated that both aircraft were in straight-and level-flight and that the engines sounded normal before impact. Although the sun was setting at the time of the accident, the investigation could not determine if it obstructed the Destiny pilot's vision or whether it was a factor in the accident. Both pilots reported that they their aircraft did not experience any mechanical anomalies during their flights. Based on the available information, it is likely that both pilots failed to maintain an adequate visual lookout, which resulted in a midair collision.
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 for the Six Chuter Spirit from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during enroute defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
Pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: ctr
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 102 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, January 15, 2018; 3 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 102 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Marana AZ
- Destination: Marana AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Destiny XLT from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Midair collision during enroute defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring other aircraft › Pilot of other aircraft
Pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: Marana AZ
- Destination: Marana AZ
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under UNREG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
2026-07-07CEN26LA246 · accident near Hooker, OK · substantial damage · minor injuries
2026-02-28CEN26LA131 · accident near Van Burensburg, IL · substantial damage · no injuries
2025-10-13ERA26LA017 · accident near Gaffney, SC · substantial damage · serious injuries
2025-09-27CEN25LA397 · accident near Harvard, IL · substantial damage · no injuries
2025-09-12CEN25LA385 · accident near Rossville, IN · substantial damage · serious injuries
2025-07-07CEN25LA242 · incident near Ingram, TX · minor damage · no injuries
2025-06-18DCA25WA305 · accident near N/A · serious injuries
2025-05-01OPS25LA034 · incident near Washington, DC
2025-04-11CEN25LA155 · accident near Brady, TX · substantial damage · serious injuries
2025-01-30DCA25MA108 · accident near Washington, DC · destroyed · fatal
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.