BUCKEYE AVIATION INC BREEZE near Franklin, IL — 2013-08-25

Probable cause

The failure of both pilots, one of whom was noncertificated, to maintain adequate visual lookout while maneuvering to land, which resulted in a midair collision. Contributing to the accident was the pilots’ inadequate communication about their intended traffic patterns.

NTSB narrative

The Buckeye Breeze and Six Chuter powered parachutes collided in midair while conducting pattern operations at a private airpark configured with two grass runways oriented north-south and east-west. The noncertificated pilot of the Buckeye Breeze was approaching the east runway on a northerly heading, and the pilot of the Six Chuter was on the left downwind leg to the north runway on a southerly heading. Neither pilot was using their handheld radio to broadcast their intended traffic patterns. Further, neither pilot noticed the other parachute until immediately before the midair collision.

NTSB coding

• Midair collision · Approach-VFR pattern base
• Attention / Monitoring
• Experience / Qualifications

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