# NTSB WPR18LA076: Buckeye Industries Dream Machine 582, N92048, Chester, MT, January 19, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 19, 2018, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Chester, MT - Coordinates: 48.495277, -110.96389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4953&lon=-110.9639&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 96673 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR18LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96673/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96673 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18LA076 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate clearance from powerlines. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tower/antenna (incl guy wires)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Awareness of condition (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE 582, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md?model=05902Z0), [All aircraft, 55 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022017/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE 582, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=05902Z0), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE 582, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05902Z0), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE 582, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=05902Z0), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The powered parachute collided with power lines in a snow-covered, rural field; the pilot sustained major burn injuries and did not recall the impact or events leading up to the accident. Examination of the wreckage revealed no evidence of flight control failure or malfunction, and fuel was present in the fuel tanks. It is likely that the pilot failed to maintain clearance from the power lines while operating at low altitude. ## Factual narrative On January 19, 2018, about 1500 mountain standard time, a Buckeye Industries Dream Machine 582 powered parachute, N92048, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Chester, Montana. The aircraft was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. At 1505, the pilot called 911 to report that he had been involved in an accident. The powered parachute came to rest entangled in power lines in a rural, snow-covered field with the nosewheel hanging from a wire. The wreckage was consistent with the aircraft flying in a southerly direction before impact. The pilot sustained major burns and was transported to the hospital, where he stayed for numerous months. The pilot did not remember anything about the impact or events leading up to the accident. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the wreckage and reported that the flight controls appeared to be continuous with no evidence of any anomalies. The engine appeared to be in normal condition with oil present; there was fuel present in the fuel tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N92048](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N92048), registered now, S/N 4387, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BUCKEYE INDUSTRIES INC DREAM MACHINE 582 - Registry model: [Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE 582](https://openairdocs.org/model/buckeye-industries-dream-machine-582) (registry code 05902Z0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 582DCDI](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-582dcdi) (registry code 55562, 2 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Powered parachute - Serial number: 4387 - Year built: 1998 - Engines: ROTAX 582 DCDI 65 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: Chester, MT - Destination: Chester, MT - Flight plan: VFR - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: serious; sport pilot; seat: front; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 34 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 29.65 inHg - Observed at: KHVR, 48 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 20180119011839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180119011839A), Jan 19, 2018: Buckeye Industries Inc DREAM MACHINE 582, Chester, MT, Minor damage. On January 19, 2018 at 1500 hrs MST, a powered parachute struck power lines 1.5 miles south east of Chester, Montana. Visual meterological conditions prevailed… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 3, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96673. 246 KB in all. - Record of conversations (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 119 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9292371&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z%20-%20Attachment%2001%20-%20Records%20of%20Conversation-Rel.pdf - Pictures of the wreckage (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 127 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=9292612&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Z%20-%20Attachment%2002%20-%20Photos-Rel.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.