# NTSB CEN12CA666: Barche Destiny XLT, N30337, Springfield, NE, September 28, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 28, 2012, 17:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Springfield, NE - Coordinates: 41.080833, -96.136947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0808&lon=-96.1369&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 19, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-LNC-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 85183 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12CA666 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85183/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85183 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12CA666 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to continue the takeoff when the chute oscillations were initially detected. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Barche Martin J DESTINY XLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=059012U), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Barche Martin J DESTINY XLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=059012U), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Barche Martin J DESTINY XLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=059012U), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Barche Martin J DESTINY XLT, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=059012U), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated the chute on the powered parachute fully inflated during the takeoff from a grass field. Once inflated, the chute began to oscillate, and the aircraft began to bounce. The pilot increased the flare of the chute to get the wheels off the terrain. Once airborne, the landing gear contacted a bean crop located at the end of the grass field. The aircraft continued to gain altitude, and as the pilot decreased the flare, the aircraft began to lose altitude, and, once again, the landing gear scraped the bean crop. The pilot increased the flare and the aircraft began to slowly gain altitude. As the aircraft approached an irrigation boom, the pilot initiated a left turn during which he lost control of the aircraft and it impacted the field. The aircraft sustained broken structural fuselage tubing, and the pilot sustained serious injuries. The pilot reported that he suspected the adjustment knot on the steering line slipped, which resulted in the loss of control during the turn. A witness reported that the powered parachute did not fully inflate and the aircraft did not become airborne until it was three-quarters of the way down the airstrip. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated the chute on the powered parachute fully inflated during the takeoff. Once inflated, the chute began to oscillate and the aircraft began to bounce. The pilot increased the flare of the chute to get the wheels off the terrain. Once airborne, the landing gear contacted a bean crop located at the end of the grass field that was being used for takeoff. The aircraft continued to gain altitude and as the pilot decreased the flare, the aircraft began to lose altitude and once again the landing gear scraped the bean crop. The pilot once again increased the flare and the aircraft began to slowly gain altitude. As the aircraft approached an irrigation boom, the pilot initiated a left turn during which he lost control of the aircraft and it impacted the field. The pilot reported that he suspected the adjustment knot on the steering line slipped which resulted in the loss of control during the turn. A witness reported that the powered parachute did not fully inflate and the aircraft did not become airborne until it was ¾ the way down the airstrip. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N30337](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30337-2015-05-06), registration cancelled 2015-05-06, S/N 3C0481, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BARCHE DESTINY XLT - Registry model: [Barche Martin J DESTINY XLT](https://openairdocs.org/model/barche-martin-j-destiny-xlt) (registry code 059012U) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582UL DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ul-dcdi) (registry code 55563, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 3C0481 - Airframe hours: 220 - Engines: ROTAX 582UL DCDI 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Barche Martin J - Registered owner: Barche Martin J - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 2012 - Departed: Springfield, NE - Destination: Springfield, NE - Airport: Pvt Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review June 11, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 225 total, 225 in this make and model, 225 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: OFF, 11 nm away ## 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 20120928021269A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120928021269A), Sep 28, 2012: Barche Martin J DESTINY XLT, Springfield, NE, Substantial damage. Pilot attempted a take off near Springfield Nebraska from a grass strip to the south and failed to gain enough altitude to clear an irrigation turret. The… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 25, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85183. 858 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 585 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379212&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379216&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 3, .PDF, 207 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379213&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.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.