BUCKEYE INDUSTRIES DREAM MACHINE
St. Joseph, MI — September 23, 2013
Event Information
| Date | September 23, 2013 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | CEN13LA555 |
| Event ID | 20130924X53415 |
| Location | St. Joseph, MI |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 42.01583, -86.42778 |
| Airport | Private Airstrip |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | BUCKEYE INDUSTRIES |
| Model | DREAM MACHINE |
| Category | PPAR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain control of the powered-parachute during takeoff.
Full Narrative
On September 23, 2013, at 1845 eastern daylight time, a Buckeye Industries model Dream Machine powered-parachute, N6122F, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff from a private airstrip near St. Joseph, Michigan. The sport pilot was not injured, but his passenger was seriously injured. The powered-parachute was registered to and operated by the pilot, under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91, without a flight plan. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal, local-area flight that was originating at the time of the accident.
The pilot reported that the accident occurred as he was attempting a northbound takeoff from a private airstrip (2,350 feet by 40 feet, grass). The pilot stated that during the takeoff roll the powered-parachute encountered a "mild" wind gust from the east that partially collapsed the right side of the parachute. The pilot corrected by making a slight left turn, but the powered-parachute became airborne with the right side of the parachute still underinflated. The powered-parachute descended back to the airstrip, bounced, and then yawed left after becoming airborne a second time. The pilot reported that he overcorrected for the yaw and the fuselage cart swung to the right. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff while the powered-parachute was about 6 feet above the airstrip. The powered-parachute impacted terrain nose first before it rolled over. The pilot reported no preaccident malfunctions or failures with the powered-parachute that would have prevented normal operation. The steel tube cart was substantially damaged during the impact sequence and the passenger sustained a fracture of his left fibula.
The nearest aviation weather reporting station was located at Southwest Michigan Regional Airport (BEH), Benton Harbor, Michigan, about 7 miles north of the accident site. At 1853, the BEH automated surface observing system reported: wind from 110 degrees at 7 knots, visibility 10 miles, sky clear, temperature 18 degrees Celsius, dew point 8 degrees Celsius, and an altimeter setting of 30.07 inches of Mercury.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.