WHITEWATER – (INT) – The National Transportation Safety Board says that turbulence and a pilot’s decision to fly at low altitude caused his ultralight to crash in Whitewater Canyon.

Charles Ross of Lakeview was killed when his rocket-powered parachute failed to slow his descent from his stricken aircraft.

Ross had left the Coachella Valley enroute home on May 12th of 2012 when he encountered winds gusting to 47 miles an hour. Witnesses had seen him flying about 400 feet above ground.

The NTSB issued its finding of probable cause Tuesday.

Story Date: October 3, 2014