# NTSB WPR13CA361: Buckeye Dream Machine, Fruitland, WA, July 3, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 3, 2013, 07:46 local (14:46 UTC) - Place: Fruitland, WA - Coordinates: 47.904445, -118.322502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9044&lon=-118.3225&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 1, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA Seattle FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 87696 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA361 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87696/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87696 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA361 ## Probable cause The operation of a powered parachute by a non-certificated pilot, and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during takeoff, which resulted in a collision with a vehicle. ## 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: [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: ground vehicle](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [All aircraft, 132 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022025/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 control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot purchased the unregistered powered parachute about a week before the accident and had accumulated 5.5 hours of flight time. During takeoff, the pilot did not maintain aircraft control. The powered parachute subsequently veered off course, and collided with a recreational vehicle resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. One occupant of the recreational vehicle sustained minor injuries. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The non-certificated pilot purchased the unregistered powered parachute about a week before the accident and had accumulated 5.5 hours of flight time. During takeoff, the pilot did not maintain aircraft control. The powered parachute subsequently veered off course, and collided with a recreational vehicle resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. One occupant of the recreational vehicle sustained minor injuries. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: UNREG (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Buckeye Dream Machine - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: UNKNOWN - Engines: Rotax 503 50 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Andrey Bondarenko - Registered owner: Andrey Bondarenko - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: Fruitland, WA - Destination: Fruitland, WA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 30; injuries: none; flight hours: 95 total, 5 in this make and model, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Observed at: KDEW ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87696. 1.1 MB in all. - Sheriff Report (item 1, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410666&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Sheriff%20Report-Redacted.PDF - FAA Report of Pilot History (item 2, .PDF, 48 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40410667&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Report%20of%20Pilot%20History-Redacted.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.