Pilot Debrief

BUCKEYE INDUSTRIES DREAM MACHINE near St. Joseph, MI — 2013-09-23

Final reportCEN13LA555
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Date
2013-09-23
Location
St. Joseph, MI, USA
Airport
PVT
Aircraft
BUCKEYE INDUSTRIES DREAM MACHINE
Registration
N6122F
Category
Powered parachute
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the powered-parachute during takeoff.

NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the accident occurred as he was attempting a northbound takeoff from a private grass airstrip. During the takeoff roll, the powered-parachute encountered a "mild" wind gust from the east that partially collapsed the right side of the parachute. The pilot corrected by making a slight left turn, but the powered-parachute became airborne with the right side of the parachute still underinflated. The powered-parachute descended back to the airstrip, bounced, and then yawed left after becoming airborne a second time. The pilot reported that he overcorrected for the yaw and that the fuselage cart swung to the right. The pilot decided to abort the takeoff while the powered-parachute was about 6 feet above the airstrip. The powered-parachute impacted the ground nose first before it rolled over. The pilot reported no preaccident malfunctions or failures with the powered-parachute that would have prevented normal operation.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted takeoff earlier before becoming airborne.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 2 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents2

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BUCKEYE INDUSTRIES DREAM MACHINE near St. Joseph, MI — 2013-09-23 · Pilot Debrief