# NTSB ERA16LA254: Buckeye Dream Machine, N3519T, Hartford, KY, July 10, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 10, 2016, 18:45 local (23:45 UTC) - Place: Hartford, KY - Coordinates: 37.45861, -86.849723 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4586&lon=-86.8497&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 13, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93595 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA254 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93595/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93595 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA254 ## Probable cause A partial loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined and the pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the aborted takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/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) - [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 DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/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 engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The student pilot of the powered parachute reported that, during the takeoff roll from an airport parking lot, the engine started to "sputter," so he chose to abort the takeoff. While attempting to do so, he lost control of the powered parachute and collided with a fence, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. A postaccident examination and test run of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative On July 10, 2016, at 1845 central daylight time, a Buckeye Dream Machine powered parachute, N3519T, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at Ohio County Airport (JQD), Hartford, Kentucky. The student pilot received serious injuries. The powered parachute was privately owned and operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight, which was originating at the time of the accident.According to the pilot, he prepared for takeoff from a parking lot at JQD. He started the engine and began the takeoff roll. During the takeoff roll the engine started to "sputter" and the pilot decided to abort the takeoff. While attempting to abort the takeoff, he "lost control" of the powered parachute and collided with a chain link fence. Examination of the powered parachute by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the left frame support tube was broken from the main tube structure. A mechanic performed a cursory examination of the engine and test run was performed. During the examination and test run, no anomalies were noted that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3519T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3519T), registered now, S/N 4064, built 2002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BUCKEYE DREAM MACHINE (NO SERIES) - 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: 4064 - Year built: 2002 - Airframe hours: 197 - Engines: ROTAX 582 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 15, 2016 - Departed: JQD, Hartford, KY - Destination: JQD, Hartford, KY - Airport: JQD, Ohio County - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 62; injuries: serious; student; medical: sport pilot; seat: center; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 30 total, 15 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 270° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: OWB, 22 nm away ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 5, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93595. 1.3 MB in all. - Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 1, .PDF, 101 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478525&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478526&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Witness Statement (item 3, .PDF, 57 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478527&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statement-Master.PDF - Memorandum of Record - Mechanic (item 4, .PDF, 113 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478528&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20-%20Mechanic-Master.PDF - Photos (item 5, .PDF, 3 photos, 919 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478529&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.