# NTSB CEN12LA428: Mchargue Buckeye Dream, N2552G, Central City, NE, July 11, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 2012, 20:25 local (Jul 11, 2012, 01:25 UTC) - Place: Central City, NE - Coordinates: 41.12611, -97.963333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1261&lon=-97.9633&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - 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-Lincoln-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84270 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN12LA428 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84270/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84270 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN12LA428 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with the powerlines during the initial takeoff climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Mchargue Leslie L BUCKEYE DREAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05902HS), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Mchargue Leslie L BUCKEYE DREAM, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05902HS), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis While taking off from a grass airstrip, the passenger felt the powered parachute “tug” to the right and the heading changed 90 degrees. The heading then changed back to the left, and the aircraft was traveling toward powerlines. The pilot reduced the engine power, and the aircraft traveled under the powerlines; however, the parachute contacted the wires. The aircraft swung backwards, and the parachute separated from the wires at which time the aircraft impacted the terrain. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 2012, at 2025 central daylight time, a McHargue Buckeye Dream powered parachute, N2552G, collided with powerlines on takeoff from a private airstrip in Central City, Nebraska. The pilot received serious injuries and the passenger received minor injuries. The powered parachute was substantially damaged. The local flight was being conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 without a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated that he does not remember the events surrounding the accident. The airstrip used for takeoff was on the pilot’s property. He stated that the powerlines run north/south and the airstrip runs east/west. The pilot stated that during takeoffs, he normally turns prior to reaching the powerlines. The passenger stated he was in the rear seat and the pilot was in the front seat. He stated he was looking over his shoulder at the chute during the takeoff when he felt a “tug” to the right. The nose of the aircraft pulled 90 degrees to the right, and then straightened back out to the east. He then heard the engine power decrease and the aircraft descended. The aircraft went under the powerlines with the parachute contacting the wires. The aircraft swung backwards and the parachute separated from the powerlines at which time the aircraft impacted the terrain. The passenger stated there was little to no wind at the time of the takeoff. The pilot reported there were no mechanical issues with the aircraft at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2552G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2552G-2017-09-18), registration cancelled 2017-09-18, S/N 001, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: MCHARGUE BUCKEYE DREAM - Registry model: [Mchargue Leslie L BUCKEYE DREAM](https://openairdocs.org/model/mchargue-leslie-l-buckeye-dream) (registry code 05902HS) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 503 DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-503-dcdi) (registry code 55566, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 001 - Engines: ROTAX 503 DCDI 52 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mchargue Leslie L - Registered owner: Mchargue Leslie L - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: Central City, NE - Destination: Central City, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 500 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: GRI, 21 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 20120710014049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120710014049A), Jul 10, 2012: Mchargue Leslie L BUCKEYE DREAM, Central City, NE, Substantial damage. Pilot [privacy data omitted] and passenger [privacy data omitted] attempted take off from a grass strip to the east and failed to gain enough altitude to clear… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 23, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84270. 770 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 579 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378012&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378127&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Records of Conversation (item 3, .PDF, 131 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378014&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Records%20of%20Conversation-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.