Buckeye Industries DREAM MACHINE N2564A accident near Culver, Indiana

Probable cause

The noncertificated pilot’s failure to attain a climb in the powered-parachute and its subsequent impact with a tree.

NTSB analysis

The noncertificated pilot was conducting a local personal flight in the powered-parachute, which he had purchased about 3 days before the accident flight. The pilot reported that, during his second attempt to take off from a grass field, he tried to avoid a tree by using the right rudder pedal, but the powered-parachute drifted left and impacted the tree, which resulted in substantial damage to the envelope.

The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. He further reported that he did not hold any flight certificates and had not received any flight instruction in the powered-parachute before the accident flight nor that he aware that he was required to do so. It is likely that the noncertificated pilot did not fully understand how to operate the powered-parachute, which led to his failure attain a climb and the subsequent impact with a tree.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA16LA199 for the full record.