# NTSB ERA24LA297: Buckeye Dream Machine, Bainbridge, GA, July 4, 2024

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: July 4, 2024, 19:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Bainbridge, GA
- Coordinates: 30.933667, -84.606633
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9337&lon=-84.6066&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 194648
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA297
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/194648/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194648
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA297

## Probable cause

The non-certificated pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines while maneuvering at low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment due to alcohol and methamphetamine use.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Impairment/incapacitation: alcohol](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 87 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012015/cases.md)
- [Impairment/incapacitation: illicit drug](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012020): Personnel issues › Physical · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 67 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02012020/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: wire](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 588 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022032/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the unregistered powered parachute did not hold a Federal Aviation Administration-issued pilot or medical certificate. Witnesses stated that the pilot was flying over a highway when the powered parachute collided with powerlines and a postimpact fire ensued. Additionally, witness video showed the powered parachute flying low near the highway and powerlines just prior to the accident. The pilot was fatally injured and fire consumed a majority of the powered parachute. No pilot or aircraft maintenance logbooks were recovered. Toxicological testing results of the pilot’s blood were positive for ethanol and methamphetamine. It is likely that the pilot was impaired by both substances when he failed to avoid the powerlines.

## Aircraft

- Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BUCKEYE DREAM MACHINE
- Category: Powered parachute
- Serial number: 0
- Engines: Rotax 582 64 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: None
- Departed: NONE, Colquitt, GA
- Destination: NONE, Bainbridge, GA
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; injuries: fatal; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.93 inHg
- Observed at: BGE, 3 nm away
- METAR: METAR KBGE 042315Z AUTO 16004KT 10SM CLR 34/23 A2993 RMK AO2 T03390231=

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 21, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=194648. 10.6 MB in all.

- Memoranda for the record - witness statements (item 1, PDF, 2 pages, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18159713&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MFRs-Rel.pdf
- Investigation photographs (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 2 photos, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17373481&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigation%20Photographs_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Medical factual report (item 3, PDF, 7 pages, 162 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18058131&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=ERA24LA297_MedicalFactualReport-Rel.pdf
- Toxicological report (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 184 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18030990&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Tox_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Witness video (18 seconds, mov file, 8MB) (item 5, MOV, 8.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18160136&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=Witness%20Video-Rel.MOV

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.

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