# NTSB ERA09CA003: Buckeye Dream Machine, N75331, Lexington, KY, October 5, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 5, 2008, 17:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Lexington, KY - Coordinates: 37.981666, -84.41278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9817&lon=-84.4128&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: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 22, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 69230 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69230/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA003 ## Probable cause The student pilot's improper decision to continue the takeoff. ## 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) ## 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: [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 During takeoff from an unimproved grass field, the student pilot of the experimental light sport aircraft powered parachute noticed the right end of the parachute was not fully inflated. He checked the left side of the parachute and it appeared to be fully inflated. When he looked back at the right side a second time, the parachute appeared to be "opened and centered." As he continued his takeoff roll, the student pilot realized he was approaching a shallow ditch and attempted to lift-off. The powered parachute then became airborne. The right main landing gear tire contacted the top of a power line. The power line broke and the aircraft was thrown forward. The buggy, housing the student pilot, oscillated under the parachute as it approached a second set of power lines. The powered-parachute contacted the second set of power lines and the buggy impacted trees approximately 10 feet above the ground, substantially damaging the buggy support bars, the frame, and the suspension lines to the parachute. The student pilot further stated that the powered parachute had no deficiencies during the takeoff and that, "I made a bad decision on the takeoff." ## Factual narrative During takeoff from an unimproved grass field, the student pilot of the experimental light sport aircraft (E-LSA) powered-parachute noticed the right end of the parachute was not fully inflated. He checked the left side of the parachute, and it appeared to be fully inflated. When he looked back at the right side a second time, the parachute appeared to be "opened and centered." As he continued his takeoff roll, the student pilot realized he was approaching a shallow ditch and attempted to lift-off. The powered parachute then became airborne. The right main landing gear tire contacted the top of a power line. The power line broke and the aircraft was thrown forward. The buggy, housing the student pilot, oscillated under the parachute as it approached a second set of power lines. The powered-parachute contacted the second set of power lines and the buggy impacted trees approximately 10 feet above the ground, substantially damaging the buggy support bars, the frame, and the suspension lines to the parachute. The student pilot further stated that the powered-parachute had no deficiencies during the takeoff and, "I made a bad decision on the takeoff." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N75331](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75331), registered now, S/N 3821 (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: 3821 - Airframe hours: 86.7 - Engines: Rotax 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 15, 2007 - Departed: Lexington, KY - Destination: Lexington, KY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 56; injuries: none; student; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; flight hours: 26 total, 24 in this make and model, 24 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: LEX, 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 20081005849829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081005849829A), Oct 5, 2008: Buckey DREAMMACHINE, Lexington, KY, Substantial damage. (-23) On October 5, 2008 at approximately 17:30 hrs eastern standard time, a buckeye dream machine, powered parachute, (serial#3821) piloted by [privacy data… ## Other investigations on N75331 (1) 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. - [NTSB ERA25LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA023), Oct 27, 2024: Buckeye Dream Machine (N75331), Nicholasville, KY, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of control in flight, which resulted in a collision with terrain. 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.