# NTSB CEN15LA212: Buckeye Breeze, Smithville, TX, April 18, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 2015, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Smithville, TX - Coordinates: 30.02861, -97.166114 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0286&lon=-97.1661&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: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 91106 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN15LA212 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91106/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91106 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15LA212 ## Probable cause The noncertificated pilot's loss of directional control during takeoff, which resulted in impact with a utility pole and hangar. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to obtain flight instruction before attempting to fly the aircraft. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Training: initial instruct/training](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031515): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031515/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 on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noncertificated pilot, who had not received any previous flight instruction, reported that, during takeoff, the powered parachute was caught by a gust of wind and veered off the left side of the runway. He was unable to regain control, as he was unfamiliar with the parachute and engine controls, and the aircraft impacted a utility pole and hangar. A nearby weather observation system reported calm winds at the time of the accident. Therefore, it is likely that the pilot experienced a loss of control due to his unfamiliarity with the aircraft. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 2015, about 1440 central daylight time, an unregistered Buckeye Breeze 2200 powered parachute impacted obstructions during takeoff at Smithville Crawford Municipal Airport (K84R), Smithville, Texas. The powered parachute sustained substantial damage and the pilot was seriously injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 and a flight plan had not been filed. The pilot reported that he started the engine, inflated the parachute canopy with air, and initiated the takeoff roll. During takeoff, the powered parachute was hit by a "strong crosswind" and veered to the left exiting the runway. The pilot reported he was confused about the engine power control and he had inadvertently increased power instead of decreasing engine power to abort the takeoff. The powered parachute impacted a utility pole and then a hangar before coming to rest. The pilot reported he broke his leg when he impacted the utility pole. At 1435, the automated weather observation system at Fayette Regional Air Center Airport (K3T5), located approximately 13 miles southeast of 84R, reported calm winds. The pilot reported that he did not hold a pilot certificate, and he had no previous ground training or flight training. This accident flight was his first attempt at flight. The two-seat powered parachute was equipped with wheeled tricycle landing gear, a 10-gallon fuel tank, and had an empty weight of about 395 pounds; meeting the light sport aircraft classification. It had not been issued a required Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) registration certificate or an FAA airworthiness certificate. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BUCKEYE BREEZE (2200) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: UNK - Engines: Rotax 583 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Minor damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: 84R, Smithville, TX - Airport: 84R, Smithville Crawford Muni, runway 17, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 46; injuries: serious; seat: front; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,700 ft broken - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: K3T5, 13 nm away ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 23, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91106. 43 KB in all. - Record of Conversation with Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450235&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20with%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.