Buckeye Dream Macine near Zeeland, MI — 2015-08-08

Probable cause

The noncertificated pilot's impairment due to alcohol consumption, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from a tree.

NTSB narrative

The noncertificated pilot was conducting a personal flight in the powered-parachute. Witnesses reported seeing the powered-parachute in a left bank when it clipped a tree and then impacted terrain in the pilot's back yard. A sheriff's deputy, who interviewed the pilot after the accident, reported that the pilot "smelled heavily [of] intoxicants. His eyes were glassy, his speech slurred, and thick tongued." The pilot reported to the deputy that he had consumed "two beers earlier in the day." A preliminary breath test of the pilot showed that he had a 0.16 percent blood alcohol concentration, which is beyond the regulatory limit for pilots. Therefore, the pilot's impairment led to his inability to safety operate the powered-parachute and his failure to maintain clearance from a tree.

NTSB coding

• Cabin safety event · Maneuvering-low-alt flying
• Attention / Monitoring
• Impairment / Incapacitation

Evidence available

• Photos
• 3 docket documents

Docket documents3

• Pilot's Statementinterview
• Report Photosphotos
• Excerpt from the Ottawa County Sheriff's Reportreport

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