# NTSB CEN10CA480: Buckeye Industries Dream Machine, N61638, Seymour, IN, August 14, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 14, 2010, 08:10 local (12:10 UTC) - Place: Seymour, IN - Coordinates: 38.849998, -85.900001 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8500&lon=-85.9000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Clear air turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/362) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Indianapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 76966 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN10CA480 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/76966/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76966 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN10CA480 ## Probable cause An inadvertent encounter with turbulence which exceeded the performance capability of the powered parachute. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Turbulence: clear air turbulence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015/cases.md?model=059001Z), [All aircraft, 78 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03032015/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000/cases.md?model=059001Z), [All aircraft, 57 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Clear air turbulence encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/362) (defining event); cases with it: [Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/362/sequence.md?model=059001Z), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/362/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=059001Z), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot departed from a private airstrip in a powered parachute for a local flight. He stated that about 30 minutes after takeoff, he was flying about 100 feet above ground level (agl), when he encountered some localized turbulence. He described it as a “swirl” and noted that before he knew what happened the aircraft was on the ground. He added that it had been a smooth flight until the turbulence encounter. The pilot commented that it was sunny when he took off, but as the flight progressed, overcast clouds approached from the north. He estimated the height of the overcast layer at 1,500 feet agl, and noted that there were a few lower clouds in the area as well. The pilot stated that there were no issues with the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he departed from a private airstrip near his home for a local flight. He stated that about 30 minutes after takeoff, he was flying about 100 feet above ground level (agl), when he encountered some localized turbulence. He described it as a “swirl” and noted that before he knew what happened the aircraft was on the ground. He added that it had been a smooth flight until the turbulence encounter. The pilot commented that it was sunny when he took off but as the flight progressed, overcast clouds approached from the north. He estimated the height of the overcast layer at 1,500 feet agl, and noted that there were a few lower clouds in the area as well. The pilot stated that there were no issues with the aircraft prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N61638](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N61638), registered now, S/N E049JS, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BUCKEYE INDUSTRIES DREAM MACHINE - Registry model: [Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE](https://openairdocs.org/model/buckeye-industries-dream-machine) (registry code 059001Z) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: E049JS - Airframe hours: 632 - Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 26, 2010 - Departed: PVT, Seymour, IN - Destination: PVT, Seymour, IN - Airport: PVT, Private ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; sport pilot; medical: sport pilot; seat: front; flight hours: 52 total, 52 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,500 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20100814044829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100814044829A), Aug 14, 2010: Buckeye Ind DREAM MACHI, Seymour, IN, Destroyed. The powered parachute was being operated in the area of storm activity. The pilot reported there was a little squall in the area with no rain. The powered… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 22, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=76966. 282 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 227 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336026&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Conversation Record -- Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336027&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Record%20--%20Pilot-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.