# NTSB ATL98LA125: Hopkins Buckeye Industries Dream Machine 582, Franklin, NC, September 16, 1998

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1998, 08:00 local (12:00 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, NC
- Coordinates: 35.179683, -83.380241 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1797&lon=-83.3802&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 43932
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA125
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/43932/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA125

## Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot's inadequate judgement of the required climb rate, and his failure to attain clearance from obstacles.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - proper climb rate - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude/clearance - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

The pilot had taken a passenger in his powered parachute to see her property from the air. While maneuvering inside a 'cove' the powered parachute collided with a tree, the parachute snagged on tree limbs that broke, and the vehicle fell to the ground. The non-certificated pilot stated he had miscalculated the climb performance penalty of the passenger's weight, and could not climb over the tree.

## Factual narrative

On September 16, 1998, about 0800 eastern daylight time a Hopkins Buckeye Dream Machine 582, an unregistered powered parachute, collided with trees during maneuvering flight near Franklin, North Carolina. The ultralight aircraft was operated by the owner/pilot under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91, and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. A flight plan was not filed for the personal fight. There were minor injuries to the non-certificated pilot, serious injuries to his passenger, and the ultralight aircraft was substantially damaged. The flight departed the Franklin Airport earlier the same morning, at an undetermined time.

According to the pilot, he had taken his passenger to view her property from the powered parachute. The pilot stated he miscalculated the weight penalty of the passenger. While maneuvering the ultralight aircraft inside a "cove," the aircraft could not climb above the tops of trees. Engine power was reduced and the aircraft struck the top of a tree. The parachute snagged limbs which broke, and the vehicle fell about 20 feet to the ground. The pilot stated that the weather was not a factor. He estimated the clouds were above 1,000 feet, and he flew around patches of fog that were lifting during the flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Hopkins Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE 582 (DREAM MACH)
- Category: Ultralight, amateur-built
- Engines: Bombardier 582ULDCDI 66 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John F. Hopkins
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: 1A5
- Airport: 1A5, Macon County

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; student; seat: front; flight hours: 50 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 700 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: AVL, 45 nm away

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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