Accident Buckeye Dream Machine N9447T, Friday 29 April 2016

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Date:	Friday 29 April 2016
Time:	16:40 LT
Type:	Buckeye Dream Machine
Owner/operator:
Registration:	N9447T
MSN:	3547
Year of manufacture:	1996
Engine model:	Rotax 582
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Fortville, Indiana - United States of America
Phase:	Approach
Nature:	Test
Departure airport:	Fortville, IN (08IN)
Destination airport:	Fortville, IN (08IN)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The sport pilot, who had a flight instructor rating, reported that the accident flight was a test flight following installation of a different canopy on the powered parachute. He reported that he took off from the runway and climbed to about 100 ft above ground level. After making a gentle turn into a light wind, the parachute collapsed. The powered parachute fell to the ground and landed flat, breaking the right landing gear axle. The pilot suffered serious injuries as a result of the fall. The pilot speculated that a combination of turbulence and the effect of the turn could have unloaded the parachute, allowing it to collapse, but he could not be sure. He added that a higher altitude may have allowed the parachute to re-deploy. The pilot reported that the parachute passed an inspection by the manufacturer after the accident.

Probable Cause: The collapse of the powered parachute's canopy for a reason that could not be determined, because postaccident examination revealed no anomalies with the parachute.

Accident investigation: