# NTSB CEN14LA346: Buckeye Dream Machine, N4394V, Ansley, NE, July 8, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 2014, 07:50 local (12:50 UTC) - Place: Ansley, NE - Coordinates: 41.231388, -99.400001 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2314&lon=-99.4000&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 14, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89625 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14LA346 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89625/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89625 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA346 ## Probable cause The powered parachute's reduced takeoff performance in tailwind conditions for reasons that could not be determined because a postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Contributing to the accident was the noncertificated pilot's decision to not abort the takeoff before the powered parachute collided with the fence. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Aircraft capability: climb capability](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 183 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01061010/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=05901BU), [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. - [Takeoff: Unknown or undetermined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 1,703 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/000/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noncertificated pilot attempted to depart from the 600-foot-long grass field to the west in a powered parachute, but it did not lift off, so he turned the powered parachute around and attempted to depart to the east. The powered parachute again did not lift off and subsequently collided with a fence. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Performance estimates for the powered parachute noted that the takeoff roll could vary between 150 and 500 ft. The closest aviation weather reporting station, located 16 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, reported a 10-knot wind from the northwest, which would have resulted in a headwind for the westerly takeoff attempt. It could not be determined why the powered parachute did not lift off during the westerly takeoff attempt. However, for the easterly takeoff attempt, it is likely the tailwind would have decreased the parachute's takeoff performance. Had the pilot aborted the takeoff with sufficient runway remaining, the powered parachute might not have collided with the fence. There is no evidence that the pilot attempted to abort the takeoff before colliding with the fence, and it is unknown if the pilot perceived the imminent collision. ## Factual narrative On July 8, 2014, about 0750 central daylight time, a Buckeye Dream Machine powered parachute, N4394V, collided with a fence near Ansley, Nebraska. The non-certificated pilot was fatally injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The powered parachute was not damaged. The powered parachute was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight which operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident.According to a statement obtained by the responding Federal Aviation Administration inspector, a witness reported the pilot started and warmed up the engine. The pilot then planned to depart a 200-yard long grass field bordered on the east and west sides by a barbed wire fence. The passenger reported that attempted to depart to the west and the powered parachute did not become airborne. The pilot remarked to the passenger, "We are not going to make it" and turned the aircraft 180 degrees and headed east. The powered parachute did not raise from the ground and collided with the fence. No anomalies were detected with the airframe and engine. The maintenance records were not recovered. The family of the pilot reported that the powered parachute had no mechanical issues and the pilot had never sought out an aircraft mechanic. An witness noted that the parachute appeared to be fully inflated during each take off attempt. The last known inspection on the powered parachute could not be determined. There was no record that the pilot applied for or received any class of pilot certificate or medical certificate. A newspaper article written about the pilot flying the powered parachute was published in a local newspaper on July 17, 2006. The pilot registered the powered parachute with the Federal Aviation Administration on December 18, 2007, and received a special airworthiness certificate for the powered parachute on January 26, 2008. At the time of the application, the powered parachute is reported to have accumulated 152.4 hours. The pilot's total flight experience could not be determined. An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Nebraska Institute of Forensic Sciences. The cause of death was extensive blunt force trauma of the neck. The manner of death was ruled an accident. Forensic toxicology was performed on limited specimens from the pilot by the FAA Bioaeronautical Sciences Research Laboratory, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Testing was negative for carbon monoxide, ethanol, and drugs. At 0753, an automated weather reporting station located at the Broken Bow Municipal Airport (KBBW), about 16 nautical miles northwest of the accident site, reported wind from 300 degrees at 10 knots, a clear sky, temperature 64 degrees Fahrenheit, dew point 54 degrees Fahrenheit, and a barometric pressure of 30.12 inches of mercury. The reason for the powered parachute inability togain sufficient altitude could not be determined. A review of the manufacturer's website on performance, noted that takeoff roll could vary between 150 to 500 feet. There was no evidence that the pilot tried to abort the takeoff, with sufficient runway to avoid colliding with the fence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4394V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4394V-2022-12-31), registration cancelled 2022-12-31, S/N 6062, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BUCKEYE DREAM MACHINE - Registry model: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE](https://openairdocs.org/model/buckeye-dream-machine) (registry code 05901BU) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 6062 - Year built: 2001 - Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: No damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: Ansley, NE - Destination: Ansley, NE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: fatal; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 300° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KBBW, 16 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 20140708011279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140708011279A), Jul 8, 2014: Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, Ansley, NE, No damage, 1 fatal. On July 8, 2014 at approximately 0753 CDT, N4394V, a Buckeye Dream Machine powered parachute attempted to takeoff from an open field located approximately 200… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89625. 369 KB in all. - Record of Conversation - FAA (item 1, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417257&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA-Master.PDF - Buckeye Performance Estimates (item 2, .PDF, 172 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417259&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Buckeye%20Performance%20Estimates-Master.PDF - Toxicology Report (item 3, .PDF, 136 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40417258&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicology%20Report-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.