# NTSB ERA12CA587: Buckeye 582 Dream Machine, N7508D, North Huntingdon, PA, September 29, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 29, 2012, 15:58 local (19:58 UTC) - Place: North Huntingdon, PA - Coordinates: 40.363056, -79.731391 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3631&lon=-79.7314&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Other: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FSDO-Allegheny - NTSB case key (mKey): 85237 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA587 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85237/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85237 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA587 ## Probable cause The operation of a powered parachute by a noncertificated pilot. Contributing to the accident was the noncertificated pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the climb following an aborted landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye 582 DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=0590142), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/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: [Buckeye 582 DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0590142), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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 582 DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0590142), [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. - [Other: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Buckeye 582 DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=0590142), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Buckeye 582 DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0590142), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The noncertificated pilot was attempting to land a powered parachute in a field bordered on one side by trees and a residence on the other. Following two unsuccessful landing attempts, the pilot aborted a third landing attempt about 20 feet above the ground. During the climb, the powered parachute drifted to the right toward the trees. The pilot was unable to stop the drift with application of full left pedal and struck a tree. The pilot then increased the engine power to full, but the powered parachute continued to descend and impacted another tree. The parachute subsequently caught one of the tree limbs and fell straight down. The powered parachute impacted the ground on all three wheels, resulting in substantial damage to the undercarriage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation and stated that he should not have tried to land without the aid of a windsock and indicated wind direction. ## Factual narrative The non-certificated pilot was attempting to land a powered parachute in a field. The field was bordered on one side by trees, and a residence on the other. Following two previous unsuccessful landing attempts, the pilot aborted a third landing attempt about 20 feet above the ground. During the climb the powered parachute drifted to the right toward the trees. The pilot was unable to stop the drift with application of full left pedal and struck a tree. The pilot then increased the engine power to full but the powered parachute continued to descend and impacted another tree. The parachute subsequently caught one of the tree limbs and fell straight down. The powered parachute impacted the ground on all three wheels, resulting in substantial damage to the undercarriage. The pilot reported no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would preclude normal operations, and stated that he should not have tried to land without the aid of a windsock and indicated wind direction. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7508D](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7508D-2013-11-04), registration cancelled 2013-11-04, S/N 4680 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BUCKEYE 582 DREAM MACHINE - Registry model: [Buckeye 582 DREAM MACHINE](https://openairdocs.org/model/buckeye-582-dream-machine) (registry code 05904HF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582SER](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ser) (registry code 55556, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 4680 - Airframe hours: 214 - Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: James Stokes - Registered owner: James Stokes - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, May 8, 2008 - Departed: West Newton, PA - Destination: West Newton, PA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; seat: front; flight hours: 0 total, 0 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KAGC, 9 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 20120929026629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120929026629A), Sep 29, 2012: Buckeye 582 DREAM MACHINE, North Huntingdo, PA, Substantial damage. Powered parachute contacted the trees with the canopy. The aircraft then contacted the tree prior to falling approximately 50' to 60'. The aircraft came to a… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 27, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85237. 11.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 374 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380618&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - FAA Email (item 2, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380611&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Email-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Record (Pilot) (item 3, .PDF, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40380302&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 4, .PDF, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40378510&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Tree damage - FAA photo (item 5, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379032&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Tree%20damage%20-%20FAA%20photo%20%20-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Dream Machine - FAA photo (item 6, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379033&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Dream%20Machine%20-%20FAA%20photo-Master.PDF - Photo 3: Dream Machine - FAA photo (item 7, .PDF, 4.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40379034&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%203%3A%20Dream%20Machine%20-%20FAA%20photo-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.