Buckeye DREAM MACH accident near Marian, Indiana, June 23, 2009
On June 23, 2009 at about 1:35 am local time, a Buckeye DREAM MACH (powered parachute), registered N2526J, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Marian, Indiana. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the utility pole and power lines.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 23, 2009 · about 1:35 am local time
- Place
- Marian, Indiana · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Buckeye DREAM MACH
- Registration
- N2526J · registry record · serial 3611
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The powered parachute was taking off from a field behind a residence when the accident occurred. A witness stated that the aircraft took off and flew over the residence prior to him hearing a "crash." He then observed the aircraft on the ground with power lines around it. The parachute and parachute lines were wrapped around the utility pole and power lines. The operating limitations for the aircraft state that the pilot in command of the aircraft must hold at least a student pilot certificate, a sport pilot certificate, or a recreational pilot certificate with the appropriate endorsements. The pilot in command did not hold a pilot certificate.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during initial climb defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Qualification/certification › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Planning/preparation › Flight planning/navigation › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Wire › Response/compensation
Pilot
- Flight time: 20 hours in all; 20 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 582 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: Marian IN
- Destination: Marian IN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 060° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.82 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 am from MIE, 24 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.