# NTSB ERA12CA389: Buckeye Breeze, N786DS, Lower Burrell, PA, June 10, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 10, 2012, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Lower Burrell, PA - Coordinates: 40.60889, -79.675003 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6089&lon=-79.6750&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Allegheny FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 83932 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA389 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83932/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83932 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA389 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the powered parachute, which resulted in a collision with trees during final approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight training. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye BREEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05901H7), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Training: total instruct/training recvd](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031510): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye BREEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031510/cases.md?model=05901H7), [All aircraft, 24 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031510/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 BREEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05901H7), [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. - [Approach: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Buckeye BREEZE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05901H7), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Buckeye BREEZE, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=05901H7), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the powered parachute had been “pushed” by wind toward the trees throughout the approach. The parachute webbing became caught in the trees, and the undercarriage cart suspended below the parachute fell and impacted the ground on all three wheels. The pilot did not possess a pilot certificate and had received no formalized flight training. He had flown the powered parachute for about 15 hours before the accident. A postaccident examination revealed that the powered parachute sustained substantial damage to the undercarriage cart and that there were no pre-existing mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A 3-knot crosswind existed during the approach. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that the aircraft had been “pushed” by wind toward the trees throughout the approach. The parachute webbing became caught in the trees; the undercarriage fell and impacted the ground on all three wheels. The pilot did not possess a valid pilot certificate and had received no formalized flight training. He had flown the powered parachute for about 15 hours prior to the accident. A postaccident inspection revealed that the powered parachute sustained substantial damage to the undercarriage and that there were no pre-existing mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A three knot crosswind existed during the approach. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N786DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N786DS-2013-05-02), registration cancelled 2013-05-02, S/N 16319, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BUCKEYE AVIATION BREEZE - Registry model: [Buckeye BREEZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/buckeye-breeze) (registry code 0590036) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 16319 - Airframe hours: 84 - Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: Lower Burrell, PA - Destination: Lower Burrell, PA - Airport: N\A, Private Strip ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: serious; seat: front; flight hours: 15 total, 15 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KAGC, 19 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 20120610018649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120610018649A), Jun 10, 2012: Buckeye Aviation BREEZE, Leechburg, PA, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Was attempting to land in a field adjacent to his home when the aircraft struck a tree approximately 25' high.[privacy data omitted]… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 24, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83932. 9.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40372346&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Interview Summary (item 2, .PDF, 159 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40371492&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF - Witness Interview Summaries (item 3, .PDF, 350 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370960&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Interview%20Summaries-Master.PDF - Allegheny (AGC) Meteorological Observations (item 4, .PDF, 353 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370287&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Allegheny%20(AGC)%20Meteorological%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Overview of Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 3.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40370962&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Overview%20of%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Veiw of Front of Undercarriage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40373656&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Veiw%20of%20Front%20of%20Undercarriage%20(Courtesy%20of%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. --- 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.