Handy James L BUCKEYE DREAM MACH N4258M

Summary

On 1 September 2012 at about 21:10 local time, a Handy James L BUCKEYE DREAM MACH registered N4258M was involved in an accident near West Caln, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

1 September 2012 at 21:10

Classification

Accident

Location

West Caln, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

40.0200, -75.9481

Aircraft

Handy James L BUCKEYE DREAM MACH

Registration

N4258M

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

West Caln → West Caln

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12CA548

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s inadequate compensation for the wind during the initial climb, which resulted in collision with a tree and terrain.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot of the powered parachute, he took off in a westerly direction with a right crosswind, and during the initial climb, the parachute veered left. The pilot tried to correct the direction of flight, but the cart struck a tree and then impacted the ground, seriously injuring the pilot and substantially damaging the metal tube airframe. According to a witness, the powered parachute was flying “normal” until a gust of wind pushed it into the tree. Postaccident examination revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the powered parachute that would have precluded normal operation. The wind reported at an airport 4 miles to the southeast of the accident location was from 360 degrees at 5 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.