BUCKEYE AVIATION BREEZE
Lower Burrell, PA — June 10, 2012
Event Information
| Date | June 10, 2012 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | ERA12CA389 |
| Event ID | 20120612X35633 |
| Location | Lower Burrell, PA |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 40.60889, -79.67500 |
| Airport | Private Strip |
| Highest Injury | SERS |
Aircraft
| Make | BUCKEYE AVIATION |
| Model | BREEZE |
| Category | PPAR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 1 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 0 |
| Total Injured | 1 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the powered parachute, which resulted in a collision with trees during final approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight training.
Full Narrative
The pilot stated that the aircraft had been “pushed” by wind toward the trees throughout the approach. The parachute webbing became caught in the trees; the undercarriage fell and impacted the ground on all three wheels. The pilot did not possess a valid pilot certificate and had received no formalized flight training. He had flown the powered parachute for about 15 hours prior to the accident. A postaccident inspection revealed that the powered parachute sustained substantial damage to the undercarriage and that there were no pre-existing mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A three knot crosswind existed during the approach.
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.