# NTSB CEN13LA506: Buckeye Breeze, N5164G, Franklin, IL, August 25, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 24, 2013, 19:30 local (Aug 25, 2013, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, IL
- Coordinates: 39.595001, -90.059997 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5950&lon=-90.0600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Approach-VFR pattern base: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250); [Approach-VFR pattern base: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 3 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 7, 2014
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87867
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13LA506
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87867/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87867
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA506

## Probable cause (aircraft 2)

The failure of both pilots, one of whom was noncertificated, to maintain adequate visual lookout while maneuvering to land, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the pilots’ inadequate communication about their intended traffic patterns.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Buckeye BREEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md?model=05901H7), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Buckeye BREEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=05901H7), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Buckeye BREEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=05901H7), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot, aircraft 1; cases with it: [Buckeye BREEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=05901H7), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md)
- [Communication (personnel): lack of communication](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Six Chuter SR7 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md?model=05901RL), [All aircraft, 84 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063510/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Six Chuter SR7 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=05901RL), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Six Chuter SR7 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=05901RL), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md)
- [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot of other aircraft, aircraft 2; cases with it: [Six Chuter SR7 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=05901RL), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Approach-VFR pattern base: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Buckeye BREEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=05901H7), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md)
- [Approach-VFR pattern base: Midair collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Six Chuter SR7 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md?model=05901RL), [All aircraft, 196 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/250/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

The Buckeye Breeze and Six Chuter powered parachutes collided in midair while conducting pattern operations at a private airpark configured with two grass runways oriented north-south and east-west. The noncertificated pilot of the Buckeye Breeze was approaching the east runway on a northerly heading, and the pilot of the Six Chuter was on the left downwind leg to the north runway on a southerly heading. Neither pilot was using their handheld radio to broadcast their intended traffic patterns. Further, neither pilot noticed the other parachute until immediately before the midair collision.

## Factual narrative (aircraft 2)

On August 24, 2013, about 1930 central daylight time, a Buckeye Breeze, N5164G, and a Six Chuter SR7 XL, N94495, collided in midair while in the pattern at a private airpark near Franklin, Illinois. Both powered parachutes were registered to and operated by their respective pilots under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as personal flights. The pilot of the Buckeye Breeze was seriously injured and his passenger sustained minor injuries. The pilot of the Six Chuter and his passenger were both seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed for either flight. Both local flights originated from the private airpark about 1900. According to the pilot of the Buckeye Breeze, he was in a descent on a northbound heading to land on the easterly grass runway. According to the pilot of the Six Chuter, he was on a left downwind to land on the northerly grass runway. The main body of the Buckeye Breeze collided with the suspension lines of the Six Chuter about 300 feet above the ground. Neither pilot was utilizing their handheld radio to broadcast pattern intentions. Neither pilot observed the other until immediately prior to their collision. After colliding, both powered parachutes descended and impacted into a heavily forested area. The non-certificated pilot of the Buckeye Breeze was issued a student pilot certificate by the Federal Aviation Administration on June 23, 2007, with an expiration date of June 30, 2009. This pilot had not pursued any further certification.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N5164G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5164G-2018-03-27), registration cancelled 2018-03-27, S/N 16344, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BUCKEYE AVIATION INC BREEZE
- Registry model: [Buckeye BREEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/buckeye-breeze) (registry code 059010L) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Powered parachute
- Serial number: 16344
- Airframe hours: 150
- Engines: ROTAX 582DCDI 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Birdsell Charles
- Registered owner: Birdsell Charles
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: n/a, Franklin, IL
- Destination: n/a, Franklin, IL
- Airport: n/a, Private

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N94495](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N94495), registered now, S/N 99-2200, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SIX CHUTER SR7 XL
- Registry model: [Six Chuter SR7 XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/six-chuter-sr7-xl) (registry code 05901RL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Powered parachute
- Serial number: 99-2200
- Airframe hours: 350
- Engines: ROTAX 582DCDI 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mansfield Harold R
- Registered owner: Mansfield Harold R
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 6, 2013
- Departed: n/a, Franklin, IL
- Destination: n/a, Franklin, IL
- Airport: n/a, Private

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N5164G; age 75; injuries: serious; seat: front; restraint: 3-point
- Pilot, aircraft N94495; age 68; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review July 6, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 3-point

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 130° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: KIJX, 14 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20130824016592A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130824016592A), Aug 24, 2013: Buckeye Aviation Inc BREEZE, Franklin, IL, Substantial damage. On 8-26-2013 I spoke to [privacy data omitted] and he indicated that he was flying with a passenger and didn't see any traffic but then he hit something and…
- [Accident 20130824016412A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130824016412A), Aug 24, 2013: Six Chuter SR7 XL, Franklin, IL, Destroyed. Received call from ftw roc at 10:23 pm on 8-23-2013 concerning the mid air collision between two powered parachutes just south of Franklin IL. The property…

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 27, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87867. 3.3 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Pilot A, Buckeye Breeze (item 1, .PDF, 761 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410767&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Pilot%20A,%20Buckeye%20Breeze-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Pilot B, Six Chuter (item 2, .PDF, 2.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410768&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Pilot%20B,%20Six%20Chuter-Redacted.PDF
- Map of Accident Location Provided by FAA (item 3, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410769&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Map%20of%20Accident%20Location%20Provided%20by%20FAA-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.

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