Probable cause
The directional control of the parachute not obtained/maintained by the pilot during the takeoff roll. A contributing factor was separation of the nose landing gear.
NTSB analysis
The pilot had been flight testing and adjusting the elliptical parachute on his light sport aircraft. He was taking off when the parachute overflew the cart and was no longer centered overhead. The rear landing gear lifted off the ground, but the nose landing gear remained on the ground. The nose landing gear then broke, and the cart spun around approximately 180 degrees to the left and came to rest on its left side. The pilot received serious injuries.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CHI08CA149 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- May 27, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Walkerton, Indiana
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Serious injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Buckeye Breeze
- N-number
- N623EM
- Category
- Powered parachute
- Damage
- Minor
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Flight test
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.