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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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August 8, 2015 · Buckeye Dream Macine · UNREG

Zeeland, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 8, 2015
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Zeeland, MI
Aircraft
Buckeye Dream Macine (1997)
Tail Number
UNREG
Operator
Scott P Headley
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CEN15LA398

The noncertificated pilot was conducting a personal flight in the powered-parachute. Witnesses reported seeing the powered-parachute in a left bank when it clipped a tree and then impacted terrain in the pilot's back yard. A sheriff's deputy, who interviewed the pilot after the accident, reported that the pilot "smelled heavily [of] intoxicants. His eyes were glassy, his speech slurred, and thick tongued." The pilot reported to the deputy that he had consumed "two beers earlier in the day." A preliminary breath test of the pilot showed that he had a 0.16 percent blood alcohol concentration, which is beyond the regulatory limit for pilots. Therefore, the pilot's impairment led to his inability to safety operate the powered-parachute and his failure to maintain clearance from a tree.

NTSB Probable Cause

The noncertificated pilot's impairment due to alcohol consumption, which resulted in his failure to maintain clearance from a tree.

Full Narrative

On August 8, 2015, about 1945 eastern daylight time, an unregistered Buckeye Dream Machine powered parachute collided with a tree and impacted terrain on private property in Zeeland, Michigan. The pilot, the sole occupant on board, was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The aircraft was registered to and operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 103 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan had been filed. The local flight originated from Zeeland about 1930. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Department responded to the scene. Witnesses told deputies they saw the aircraft in a left bank when it clipped a tree and impacted terrain in the pilot's back yard. A deputy interviewed the pilot and stated he "smelled heavily intoxicants. His eyes were glassy, his speech slurred, and thick tongued." The pilot admitted to the deputy that he had consumed "two beers earlier in the day." The pilot was asked to submit to a Preliminary Breath Test (PBT). The pilot consented. The result was 0.16% Breath Alcohol Content (BRAC).

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:45 EDT
Nearest AirportScott P. Headley (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBuckeye Dream Macine
Tail NumberUNREG
Aircraft CategoryPpar
DamageDestroyed
OperatorScott P Headley
Operating RulePart 103
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 503 · Reciprocating · 50
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · None · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 7000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.97 inHg
Observation Time23:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data