BUCKEYE BREEZE
Smithville, TX, April 18, 2015
Event Information
| Date | April 18, 2015 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| Location | Smithville, TX |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 30.02861, -97.16611 |
| Airport | SMITHVILLE CRAWFORD MUNI |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
| NTSB Number | CEN15LA212 |
| Event ID | 20150501X25643 |
Aircraft
| Make | BUCKEYE |
| Model | BREEZE |
| Registration # | UNREG |
| Category | PPAR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | MINR |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The noncertificated pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in impact with a utility pole and hangar. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain flight instruction before attempting to fly the aircraft.
Full Narrative
On April 18, 2015, about 1440 central daylight time, an unregistered Buckeye Breeze 2200 powered parachute impacted obstructions during takeoff at Smithville Crawford Municipal Airport (K84R), Smithville, Texas. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage and the pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and a flight plan had not been filed.
The pilot reported that he started the engine, inflated the parachute canopy with air, and initiated the takeoff roll. During takeoff, the powered parachute was hit by a "strong crosswind" and veered to the left exiting the runway. The pilot reported he was confused about the engine power control and he had inadvertently increased power instead of decreasing engine power to abort the takeoff. The powered parachute impacted a utility pole and then a hangar before coming to rest. The pilot reported he broke his leg when he impacted the utility pole.
At 1435, the automated weather observation system at Fayette Regional Air Center Airport (K3T5), located approximately 13 miles southeast of 84R, reported calm winds.
The pilot reported that he did not hold a pilot certificate, and he had no previous ground training or flight training. This accident flight was his first attempt at flight. The two-seat powered parachute was equipped with wheeled tricycle landing gear, a 10-gallon fuel tank, and had an empty weight of about 395 pounds; meeting the light sport aircraft classification. It had not been issued a required Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registration certificate or an FAA airworthiness certificate.
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.