Pilot Debrief

BUCKEYE AVIATION BREEZE near Lower Burrell, PA — 2012-06-10

Final reportERA12CA389
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Date
2012-06-10
Location
Lower Burrell, PA, USA
Airport
N\A
Aircraft
BUCKEYE AVIATION BREEZE
Registration
N786DS
Category
Powered parachute
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the powered parachute, which resulted in a collision with trees during final approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's lack of flight training.

NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that the powered parachute had been “pushed” by wind toward the trees throughout the approach. The parachute webbing became caught in the trees, and the undercarriage cart suspended below the parachute fell and impacted the ground on all three wheels. The pilot did not possess a pilot certificate and had received no formalized flight training. He had flown the powered parachute for about 15 hours before the accident. A postaccident examination revealed that the powered parachute sustained substantial damage to the undercarriage cart and that there were no pre-existing mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A 3-knot crosswind existed during the approach.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents6

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