# NTSB WPR13CA136: Buckeye Dream Machine, N7193K, Tracy, CA, March 2, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 2, 2013, 09:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Tracy, CA - Coordinates: 37.699443, -121.54 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6994&lon=-121.5400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report June 24, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86337 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86337/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86337 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA136 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to see and avoid power lines during a climb. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05901BU), [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 · Not specified; 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) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Controlled flight into terr/obj (CFIT)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120) (defining event); cases with it: [Buckeye DREAM MACHINE, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md?model=05901BU), [All aircraft, 1,074 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/120/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was flying his powered parachute at various low altitudes, and that, during a climb along a ridgeline, it struck high-voltage transmission power lines less than 100 feet above ground level. The powered parachute descended to the ground and came to rest inverted, substantially damaging its structural tubing. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was flying his powered parachute at various low altitudes, and during a climb along a ridgeline, struck high voltage transmission power lines that were less than 100 feet above ground level. The aircraft descended to the ground and came to rest inverted, substantially damaging its structural tubing. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft that would have precluded normal operations. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7193K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7193K), registered now, S/N 4904, built 2000 (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 582UL](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582ul) (registry code 55558, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 4904 - Airframe hours: 272 - Engines: Rotax 582UL 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John Hollis - Registered owner: John Hollis - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 27, 2012, 272 hours before - Departed: TCY, Tracy, CA - Destination: TCY, Tracy, CA - Airport: TCY, Tracy Municipal Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: serious; sport pilot; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review March 19, 2011; seat: front; flight hours: 190 total, 185 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.20 inHg - Observed at: LVK, 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 20130302003519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130302003519A), Mar 2, 2013: Buckeye Aviation DREAM MACHINE, Tracy, CA, Substantial damage. Pilot took off from rwy. 26 (tcy) heading towards diablo mountain range with eventual intention of heading to byron area. While climbing to stay above the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 19, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86337. 605 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 590 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389875&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 2, .PDF, 15 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40389876&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-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.