# NTSB ERA09CA129: Buckeye Dream Machine, N6068E, Grant, FL, December 28, 2008 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 28, 2008, 08:50 local (13:50 UTC) - Place: Grant, FL - Coordinates: 27.905555, -80.517776 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9056&lon=-80.5178&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 23, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73194 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA129 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73194/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA129 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wire. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the powered parachute was flying at an altitude of 500 feet above ground level when he elected to descend to identify an object he observed on a road. After descending over the roadway and identifying the object as "black cloth of some sort," the pilot noticed an overhead cable that appeared to be "fast approaching." The pilot maintained a low altitude; however, the top of the canopy collided with the unmarked wire. The aircraft swung upward, descended, and impacted the ground. The left main landing gear collapsed and several airframe braces were substantially damaged. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the Buckeye Dream Machine powered-parachute was flying at an altitude of 500 feet above ground level, when he elected to descend to identify an object he observed on a road. After descending over the roadway and identifying the object as "black cloth of some sort," the pilot noticed a "fast approaching" cable that was stretched overhead. The pilot maintained a low altitude; however, the top of the canopy collided with an unmarked wire. The aircraft swung upward, descended, and impacted the ground. The left main landing gear collapsed and several airframe braces were substantially damaged. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6068E](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6068E-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N 4332, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Buckeye Dream Machine - Registry model: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE](https://openairdocs.org/model/buckeye-dream-machine) (registry code 059010A) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 4332 - Engines: Rotax 582DCDI 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: X59, Valkaria, FL - Destination: X26, Sebastian, FL - Airport: X59, Valkaria Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 74; injuries: none; sport pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 452 total, 452 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.27 inHg - Observed at: MLB, 13 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 20081228857359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20081228857359A), Dec 28, 2008: Buckey DREAMMACHINE, Substantial damage. (-23) When enroute fro valkaria to sabastion at 500 fet the pilot descended during flight and contacted a support cable, resulting in the aircraft to awing and… 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.