Pilot Debrief

BUCKEYE INDUSTRIES DREAM MACHINE near Culver, IN — 2016-04-23

Final reportGAA16LA199
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Date
2016-04-23
Location
Culver, IN, USA
Aircraft
BUCKEYE INDUSTRIES DREAM MACHINE
Registration
N2564A
Category
Ultralight
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The noncertificated pilot’s failure to attain a climb in the powered-parachute and its subsequent impact with a tree.

NTSB narrative

The noncertificated pilot was conducting a local personal flight in the powered-parachute, which he had purchased about 3 days before the accident flight. The pilot reported that, during his second attempt to take off from a grass field, he tried to avoid a tree by using the right rudder pedal, but the powered-parachute drifted left and impacted the tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the envelope. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He further reported that he did not hold any flight certificates and had not received any flight instruction in the powered-parachute before the accident flight nor that he aware that he was required to do so. It is likely that the noncertificated pilot did not fully understand how to operate the powered-parachute, which led to his failure attain a climb and the subsequent impact with a tree.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have sought flight training before attempting to fly the powered parachute.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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