Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the wire.
NTSB analysis
The pilot of the powered parachute was flying at an altitude of 500 feet above ground level when he elected to descend to identify an object he observed on a road. After descending over the roadway and identifying the object as "black cloth of some sort," the pilot noticed an overhead cable that appeared to be "fast approaching." The pilot maintained a low altitude; however, the top of the canopy collided with the unmarked wire. The aircraft swung upward, descended, and impacted the ground. The left main landing gear collapsed and several airframe braces were substantially damaged.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA129 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 28, 2008
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Grant, Florida
- Nearest airport
- Valkaria Airport (X59)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Buckeye Dream Machine
- N-number
- N6068E
- Category
- Powered parachute
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
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.