Summary
On October 05, 2008, a Buckeye Dream Machine (N75331) was involved in an incident near Lexington, KY. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The student pilot's improper decision to continue the takeoff.
During takeoff from an unimproved grass field, the student pilot of the experimental light sport aircraft (E-LSA) powered-parachute noticed the right end of the parachute was not fully inflated. He checked the left side of the parachute, and it appeared to be fully inflated. When he looked back at the right side a second time, the parachute appeared to be "opened and centered." As he continued his takeoff roll, the student pilot realized he was approaching a shallow ditch and attempted to lift-off. The powered parachute then became airborne. The right main landing gear tire contacted the top of a power line. The power line broke and the aircraft was thrown forward. The buggy, housing the student pilot, oscillated under the parachute as it approached a second set of power lines.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ERA09CA003. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N75331.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The student pilot's improper decision to continue the takeoff.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
During takeoff from an unimproved grass field, the student pilot of the experimental light sport aircraft (E-LSA) powered-parachute noticed the right end of the parachute was not fully inflated. He checked the left side of the parachute, and it appeared to be fully inflated. When he looked back at the right side a second time, the parachute appeared to be "opened and centered." As he continued his takeoff roll, the student pilot realized he was approaching a shallow ditch and attempted to lift-off. The powered parachute then became airborne. The right main landing gear tire contacted the top of a power line. The power line broke and the aircraft was thrown forward. The buggy, housing the student pilot, oscillated under the parachute as it approached a second set of power lines. The powered-parachute contacted the second set of power lines and the buggy impacted trees approximately 10 feet above the ground, substantially damaging the buggy support bars, the frame, and the suspension lines to the parachute. The student pilot further stated that the powered-parachute had no deficiencies during the takeoff and, "I made a bad decision on the takeoff."
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA09CA003